Zinnia is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae, native to scrub and dry grassland habitats in an area stretching from the American Southwest to South America, with a center of diversity in Mexico. They are annuals, perennials, and subshrubs with solitary daisy-like flowerheads on long stems. The genus name honors German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727-1759). Zinnias are popular garden flowers, usually grown from seed, and preferring fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained soil in an area with full sun. They are known for their bright and vibrant colors, coming in a wide variety of shades including white, yellow, orange, red, purple, and even green. Zinnias are also prized for their long flowering period, blooming from early summer until the first frost. Apart from their ornamental value, zinnias have been used in traditional medicine, particularly in Mexico and Central America, for various purposes such as treating skin conditions, stomach issues, and even diabetes. The Zinnia genus includes several species, with Zinnia elegans, also known as common zinnia or elegant zinnia, being the most widely cultivated. Other popular species include Zinnia angustifolia (narrow-leaf zinnia), Zinnia haageana (Mexican zinnia), and Zinnia peruviana (Peruvian zinnia). Zinnias are not only aesthetically pleasing but also attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects to the garden, promoting biodiversity and pollination.
Zinnia, flowering plants, daisy family, Asteraceae, annuals, perennials, subshrubs, garden flowers, vibrant colors, traditional medicine, Zinnia elegans, common zinnia, elegant zinnia, narrow-leaf zinnia, Mexican zinnia, Peruvian zinnia, biodiversity
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