From 3 inches to a foot high, desert zinnia is a dwarf shrub with small,
stiff, dull green leaves and attractive, four-petaled flowers that are
present from April to October. Preferring clayey or rocky, arid soils at
elevations 2,500 to 5,000 feet, this species is found from west Texas to
southern Arizona and Mexico. Although related to the garden zinnia,
which is a native of Mexico, only the large flowered desert species,
_Zinnia grandiflora_, is considered worthy of cultivation.
_Zinnia pumila_ Sunflower Family
[Illustration: DESERT ZINNIA]