Originally from the high plateaux of Mexico, where it was discovered in 1788 by Spanish botanists, this flower was introduced to Spain in 1789, causing a minor botanical revolution on the old continent in its own way.

When the first blooms appeared the following year, it was decided to dedicate the flowers to the famous Swedish botanist Andréas Dahl, giving him the name dahlia. 
A symbol of recognition and thanks for some, and of splendour for others, the dahlia soon began to decorate flowerbeds and flower beds in France, delighting botanists and amateur gardeners alike. It is a particularly decorative flower in terms of its size, shape, colour and luminous tones.

Over the years, the dahlia has become the flower of choice for parades: for its many varieties, for its exceptional palette of colours and shapes, and for the size of its easy-to-work flower bud.

The dahlia has played a large part in the history of the town of Sélestat, and each edition of the corso is also a tribute in the form of a multicoloured bouquet to a flower without which the Corso would not be what it is.