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Desert Zinnia

Zinnia acerosa

Other common name(s):

Dwarf Zinnia, Dwarf White Zinnia, Shrubby Zinnia, Southern Zinnia

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Groundcover

Height

.5
to
1
ft.

Spread

1
to
1.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Gravelly, Rocky, Alkaline, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

In the Panhandle yellow zinnia is dormant in the winter, but in Austin and El Paso it is almost evergreen.

Comments

Blooms June-August. Gows 4-10 inches tall with numerous branches and many narrow leaves, 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches long. The flower heads have 4-7 white to off-white ray flowers, and yellow disc flowers. The ray flowers are lightly toothed at the tip. The plant has a long blooming period. Makes a good groundcover.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Zinnia pumila

References

1) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=4818&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ZIAC. 3) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 4) Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy, Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, 1988, 1991, pg 214. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Zinnia+acerosa&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=38712#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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