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Common zinnia

How to identify Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Common zinnia, also known as Youth-And-Old-Age, Youth and Old Age, Elegant zinnia, Zinnia

Common zinnia boasts a striking vertical stature with robust stems that can reach heights of 8 inches to 3.3 feet (20 cm to 1 m). The plant is adorned with solitary, composite flowers characterized by a plethora of flamboyant petals surrounding a central eye. Each blossom spans 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) in diameter and comes in a vivid spectrum ranging from white to deep red. The lance-shaped leaves envelop the stems, contributing to its lush, bushy appearance.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common zinnia

1

Robust stems reaching 8 inches to 3.3 feet (20 cm to 1 m) in height.

2

Solitary, composite flowers with petals ranging from white to deep red, 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) in diameter.

3

Large to gigantic flowers with heads 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) in diameter, excluding blue colors.

4

Obtuse, bicolored involucral bracts in semidouble to double flowers, with showy, reflexed ray flowers up to 8 inches (20 cm) long.

5

Opposite, sessile, ovate to elliptic leaves with entire margins, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide, showcasing 5 prominent palmate veins.

Common zinniaCommon zinniaCommon zinniaCommon zinniaCommon zinnia

Detailed Traits of Common zinnia

Leaf Features

The leaves of common zinnia are opposite, sessile, and clasping, with an ovate to elliptic shape. They have entire margins and are acute to subacuminate at the tips. Larger leaves near the base are broader, measuring 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide and feature 5 prominent palmate veins. The cordate leaves are 3 to 5-nerved and exhibit a texture that is both delicate and robust, aiding in the plant's distinctive appearance.

Leaf Shape

Lanceolate ,
Elliptic ,
Ovate

Common zinnia Leaf Shape image
Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Amplexicaul

Common zinnia Leaf Base image
Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Common zinnia Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,
Acute ,
Obtuse

Common zinnia Leaf Apex image
Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of common zinnia are large to gigantic, with heads ranging from 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) in diameter. They exhibit various colors, typically excluding blue, due to anthocyanin or carotenoid pigments. The flowers are mostly semidouble to double with broad, obtuse, bicolored involucral bracts. Ray flowers are showy and conspicuous, reaching up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length, and become reflexed with age. Disc flowers are few and often inconspicuous or absent.

Common zinnia Flower imageCommon zinnia Flower image
Corolla Type

Tubular ,
Ligulate

Inflorescence Type

Capitulum/Head

Common zinnia Inflorescence Type image
Learn About the Flower Glossary
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Fruit Features

Fruit Type

Cypsela

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
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Common zinnia and Their Similar Plants

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Mexican zinnia vs. Common zinnia: What's The Difference?
Mexican zinnia (Zinnia haageana) is an annual shrub native to Mexico in the large Zinnia family of flowering plants. Mexican zinnia and other Zinnia species are cultivated ornamentally due to their large, colorful blooms.
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Narrow leaf zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia) is a flowering perennial plant native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Narrow leaf zinnia is a popular plant in ornamental gardens. This species is particularly popular when it is bred in hybrid forms with other zinnia species for their pleasant color combinations.
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Peruvian zinnia vs. Common zinnia: What's The Difference?
Peruvian zinnia is an annual plant that can grow up to 91 to 122 cm tall. A native of South America, the peruvian zinnia looks much different than the hybridized types that are grown today. They are a small but colorful addition to the garden, with blooms that are red or yellow.
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Key Facts About Common zinnia

Attributes of Common zinnia
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
15 cm to 1 m
Spread
30 cm to 60 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
5 cm to 7 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Red
Orange
White
Purple
Pink
Green
Cream
Gold
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Common zinnia

Family
Daisy
Icon allow
Genus
Zinnias
Icon allow
Species
Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Learn More About the Common zinnia

Distribution Map of Common zinnia

Common zinnia is native to the dry grasslands and scrublands of Central America. This popular garden plant has become naturalized through much of the rest of the world; it is grown as an ornamental with no concerns about invasiveness.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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