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The zinnia got its name from 18th-century German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, who wrote the flower's first scientific description.
Zinnias are native to Mexico, where Aztecs originally dubbed these flowers mal de ojos ("hard on the eyes").
When zinnias were introduced to Europeans, the flowers were referred to as "poorhouse flower" and "everybody's flower" because they were so common and easy to grow.
Dwarf zinnias can be as short as 10 inches tall; the giants reach up to 4 feet.
Zinnias were once popularly called "youth and old age" because old blooms stay fresh as new blooms open.
The luminous 'Magellan Coral' zinnia was honored as a 2005 All-America Selections Winner.
From 1931 to 1957, the zinnia was Indiana's state flower. (It was replaced by the peony.)—L.S.
