Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Zinnia acerosa (A.P. de Candolle) Gray
(Desert Zinnia)

Family: Asteraceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Crassina pumila (Gray) Kuntze
Diplothrix acerosa A.P. de Candolle
Zinnia pumila Gray

Zinnia acerosa is a low, perennial herb much like Zinnia grandiflora. Zinnia acerosa has white or pale yellow flowers, while those of Zinnia grandiflora are bright yellow. There are other minor differences in that the leaves of Zinnia acerosa are one nerved (three nerved in Z. grandiflora) and the style branches are not acuminate in Zinnia acerosa as they are in Z. grandiflora. Although both species can be found in exposed areas at lower elevation and sometimes growing within a few feet of each other, Zinnia acerosa is much less common.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Zinnia acerosa, photo Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., on the road to Engineer Canyon, September 17, 2009



Zinnia acerosa, closeup of leaves, photo Russ Kleinman & Deming Gustafson, Burro Mtns., Engineer Canyon, October 17, 2009



Zinnia acerosa, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., near WD Ranch Road, May 5, 2010



Zinnia acerosa, closeup of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., near WD Ranch Road, May 5, 2010


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