Common Name: Desert Zinnia

General Information

Zinnia acerosa is a perennial plant forming a rounded mound of growth 10 - 25cm tall with stems that become more or less woody and persist[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental and can be used in projects to restore native plant cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southwest N. America - Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, northern Mexico

Habitat

Rocky open slopes, flats, calcareous soils; at elevations from 700 - 1,900 metres[]. Dry mesas and arid, rocky slopes[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Zinnia acerosa is found in the warm temperate to subtropical zone of southwestern N. America, growing in semi-arid regions. It grows best in areas with long, hot, dry summers and is able to tolerate some frost in winter so long as it is not wet[].
Requires a position in full sun, growing best in a deep, rich, loamy, well-drained soil[]. Grows well in calcareous or alkaline soils with a high pH and tolerates some shade in hot, dry environments[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is antirheumatic - a crushed paste of the plant, mixed with salt, is used to alleviate swelling or aches[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant may be used within its native range in restoration of disturbed areas, wildlife and pollinator habitat improvement, and to increase plant diversity on adapted areas[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in containers in a greenhouse. Prick out into individual containers when the seedlings are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough[]. In areas near the limits of the plants hardiness it would be better to keep the plants in pots in a sheltered position for their first winter, planting out in late spring.