Peruvian Zinnia
Zinnia peruviana
This is an unusual flower to be seen growing wild in parts of India. Peruvian Zinnia is an annual herb native to the American continents, and has presumably naturalized here. It is a 1-2 ft tall upright, branching plant. Leaves are nearly stalkless, narrow ovate or lance-shaped, up to 4.5 cm long and 2 cm wide. Flower heads arise singly at the top of stems. Ray florets are red, pink or purple, to 1.5 x 1.1 cm, while the disc florets are brownish.
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