Flowers of the Southwest Deserts

by Natt N. Dodge

Zinnia pumila

Common Names: WILD-ZINNIA Arizona and Texas deserts: (Zinnia pumila). Pale yellow. April-October. Sunflower family. Size: Low, dense-growing perennials in rounded clumps, 4 to 8 inches high.

Closely related to the garden Zinnia, which is a native of Mexico, desert Zinnias are attractive herbs suitable for trial as ornamental border plantings.

Z. pumila prefers caliche soils and is found on dry mesas and slopes from Texas westward to southern Arizona and northern Mexico. It is often found blossoming in association with the Paperflower (Psilostrophe cooperi) which it superficially resembles. The pale yellow flowers of the Wild-zinnia turn white with age.

Z. pumila may be easily recognized by the single heavy rib running the length of each narrow leaf.

YELLOW