Zinnia elegans, known as youth-and-age, common zinnia or elegant zinnia, an annual flowering plant of the genus Zinnia, is one of the best known zinnias. It is native to Mexico but grown as an ornamental in many places and naturalised in several places including scattered locations in South and Central America, the West Indies, the United States, Australia, and Italy.The uncultivated plant grows to about 30 in (76 cm) in height. It has solitary flower heads about 2 inches (5 cm) across. The purple ray florets surround black and yellow discs. The lanceolate leaves are opposite the flower heads.