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203 bytes removed ,  00:40, 7 February 2009
rewrote article, incorporated Flora and Wikipedia information
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| high = varies by species
 
| high = varies by species
 
| wide = varies by species
 
| wide = varies by species
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| origin = S USA to Argentina
 
| lifespan = Perennials, Annuals, subshrubs
 
| lifespan = Perennials, Annuals, subshrubs
 
| exposure = Sun
 
| exposure = Sun
| water =  
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| water = regular, short dry
 
| features = Flowers
 
| features = Flowers
 
| hardiness =  
 
| hardiness =  
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| genus = Zinnia
 
| genus = Zinnia
 
}}
 
}}
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Related to the daisy (Asteraceae), Zinnia is a genus of annuals, perennials, and small shrubs. Soft leaves  are light green. Leaves vary by species from linear to a broad spatula shape. Flowers of wild species usually are like daisies, while new varieties are primarily doubles with mostly hidden or missing disc florets. Common colors found are yellow, pink, orange, and red to mahogany, but there are many more colors.
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'''''Zinnia''''' is a [[genus]] of 20 species of [[Annual plant|annual]] and [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[plant]]s of family [[Asteraceae]], originally from scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the [[American Southwest]] to [[South America]], but primarily [[Mexico]], and notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colors.
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==Cultivation==
 
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{{monthbox
Zinnia leaves are opposite and usually stalkless, with a shape ranging from linear to ovate, and pale to middle green in color. The flowers have a range of appearances, from a single row of petals, to a dome shape, with the colors white, chartreuse, yellow, orange, red, purple, and lilac.
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| color = IndianRed
 
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| name = Zinnia
Zinnias are popular [[garden]] flowers, usually grown from seed, and preferably in fertile, [[humus]]-rich, and well-drained soil, in an area with full sun.  They will reseed themselves each year. Over 100 [[cultivar]]s have been produced since selective breeding started in the [[19th century]].
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| feb =
''Zinnia elegans'' is the familiar species, originally from Mexico and thus a warm-hot climate plant. Its leaves are lance-shaped and sandpapery in texture, and height ranges from 15 cm to 1 meter.
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Those commonly grown in the garden are usually frost-tender annuals which should be planted in sun, away from drafts. Keep soil moist, making sure it is well drained.  They can tolerate dry periods. Extending the flowering can be done by deadheading often. Often will reseed.  
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Zinnias seem especially favored by [[butterfly|butterflies]], and many gardeners add zinnias specifically to attract them.
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===Propagation===
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Seed.
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The name of the genus derives from the [[Germany|German]] [[botanist]] [[Johann Gottfried Zinn]] (1727-1759).
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===Pests and diseases===
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Powdery mildew, caterpillars (which some gardeners plant Zinnias to attract).
    
== Species ==
 
== Species ==
Genus ''Zinnia'' L. includes the following species
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About 20 species. Zinnia elegans, (syn. Z. violacea) is the most common.
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*''[[Zinnia acerosa]]'' (DC.) A. Gray -- desert zinnia
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Species include:
*''[[Zinnia angustifolia]]'' Kunth -- narrowleaf zinnia
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*''[[Zinnia acerosa]]'' - desert zinnia
*''[[Zinnia anomala]]'' Gray -- shortray zinnia
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*''[[Zinnia angustifolia]]'' - narrowleaf zinnia
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*''[[Zinnia anomala]]'' - shortray zinnia
 
*''[[Zinnia bicolor]]''  
 
*''[[Zinnia bicolor]]''  
*''[[Zinnia elegans]]'' Jacq. -- 'Profusion Orange'
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*''[[Zinnia elegans]]'' - 'Profusion Orange'
*''[[Zinnia grandiflora]]'' Nutt. -- Rocky Mountain zinnia
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*''[[Zinnia grandiflora]]'' - Rocky Mountain zinnia
 
*''[[Zinnia haageana]]''  
 
*''[[Zinnia haageana]]''  
 
*''[[Zinnia linearis]]''
 
*''[[Zinnia linearis]]''
*''[[Zinnia maritima]]'' Kunth -- Palmer's Zinnia
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*''[[Zinnia maritima]]'' - Palmer's Zinnia
 
**''Zinnia maritima'' var. ''maritima''  
 
**''Zinnia maritima'' var. ''maritima''  
**''Zinnia maritima'' var. ''palmeri'' (Gray) B.L. Turner -- Palmer's zinnia
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**''Zinnia maritima'' var. ''palmeri'' - Palmer's zinnia
*''[[Zinnia peruviana]]'' (L.)  L. -- Peruvian zinnia
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*''[[Zinnia peruviana]]'' - Peruvian zinnia
*''[[Zinnia pumila]]'' (=''Zinnia acerosa'' (DC.) A. Gray)
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*''[[Zinnia pumila]]'' (syn. ''Zinnia acerosa'')
*''[[Zinnia violacea]]'' Cav. -- elegant zinnia
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*''[[Zinnia violacea]]'' - elegant zinnia
    
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
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==References==
 
==References==
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ZINNI USDA PLANTS Database, Symbol ZINNI]
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*Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381
* [http://www.botanik.de/mendel/image-galleries/blumen/zinnien Zinnia hybrids]
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
* [[Arthur B. Howard]]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]