zinnia

American  

[zin-ee-uh] / ˈzɪn i ə /

noun

1. any of several composite plants of the genus Zinnia, native to Mexico and adjacent areas, especially the widely cultivated species Z. elegans, having variously colored, many-rayed flower heads.

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zinnia British  

/ ˈzɪnɪə /

noun

1. any annual or perennial plant of the genus Zinnia, of tropical and subtropical America, having solitary heads of brightly coloured flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

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Etymology

Origin of zinnia

1760–70; < New Latin, named after J. G. Zinn (1727–59), German botanist; see -ia

Explanation

A zinnia is a plant that grows brightly-colored flowers with many petals. In 2016, a zinnia plant aboard the International Space Station blossomed in zero gravity. A zinnia is a type of daisy, distinguished for its bright pinks, purples, reds, and oranges. Most are native to the Southwest of the United States, but they are easy to grow just about everywhere. In fact, they're extremely popular with gardeners, because they're easily planted as seeds and can withstand very hot summer temperatures. Their name comes from a famous German botanist, Johann Gottfried Zinn.

Example Sentences

“I am Asian and in our culture, we leave shoes off in the house as a show of respect,” Zinnia Wong said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2023

Zinnia borrows one of Brown’s daughter’s middle names, apt given the bucolic ambiance.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2023

Zinnia seeds can be directly sown into sunny garden beds for a floral display from July to September.

From Washington Post • Jun. 1, 2021

Zinnia Jones: Depersonalization symptoms were something I’d always experienced, and pretty intensely.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2018

Half-hardy annual THE double varieties of Zinnia have entirely eclipsed the single form of this flower.

From The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots 16th Edition by Sutton and Sons