| Zinnia grandiflora | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Heliantheae |
| Genus: | Zinnia |
| Species: | Z. grandiflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Zinnia grandiflora Nutt. |
|
Zinnia grandiflora is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names Rocky Mountains zinnia and Plains zinnia. It is native to the southwestern and south-central United States and the northern states of Mexico, where it grows on plains and foothills and other dry habitat.
It is a subshrub growing up to 22 centimeters tall with many slender, branching stems. The oppositely arranged leaves are linear in shape and measure 1 to 3 centimeters long. The herbage is covered in short, rough hairs. The flower head has 3 to 6 bright yellow ray florets each between 1 and 2 centimeters in length. At the center is a cluster of several tubular disc florets.
This plant is used by several Native American groups, including the Zuni and Navajo, for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, and as an ingredient in dye and a body paint.[1]