Growth Form:Forb/herb; plants mostly upright (erect) or spreading, some prostrate; few or several slender stems; foliage and stems rough (strigose) to the touch.
Leaves: Green; mostly without leaf stalk (sessile); linear or lance-linear; opposite on stem; short stiff hairs.
Flowering Season: July or August to September and October following summer monsoon rainfall
Elevation: 3,500 to 8,000 feet (1,067-2,438 m)
Habitat Preferences: Dry rocky slopes, hillsides, mesas, open areas in pinyon-juniper communities and along streams.
Recorded Range: In the United States Abert’s Creeping Zinnia is found in the southwest mostly in AZ and NM with smaller populations in CA, NV and TX. In Arizona it is found in northern and southern parts of the state.
Genus Information: In North America there are 3 species and 3 accepted taxa overall for Sanvitalia. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 2 accepted species names and a further 2 scientific names of infraspecific rank for Sanvitalia.
The genus Sanvitalia was published in 1792 by Lamarck, Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet de (1744-1829).
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico each have 1 species of Sanvitalia, California has 2 species, Texas has 3 species, Utah has 0 species. Data approximate and subject to revision.
Comments: Plants in the genus Sanvitalia are collectively called "creeping zinnias". Photo above take August 28, near Canelo, eastern Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Sanvitalia abertii flowers, and their seeds and plants may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of food, nectar, shelter and protection through cover.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Bees and Insects
Sanvitalia abertii has small but attractive flowers, and the flowers and their plants may be visited by butterflies, moths, native bees and other insects in search of food and nectar.
Etymology:
The genus “Sanvitalia” (Sanvita'lia:) is named to honor of Federico Sanvitali (1704-1761, Professor at Brescia, Italy. It is possibly also named in honor of other family members, as a whole, which included Federico Sanvitali (1770-1819), grand-nephew of Professor Sanvitali and Count Stefano Sanvitali (1764-1838), also a grand-nephew of Professor Sanvitali.
The genus Sanvitalia was published in 1792 by Lamarck, Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet de (1744-1829).
The taxon Sanvitalia aberti was published in 1849 by Harvard botanist Asa Gray, (1810-1888).
The species epithet “abertii” (a'bertii:) was named after James William Abert (1820-1897), army officer and explorer, born November 18, 1820, in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
Ethnobotany
Sanvitalia abertii is used for a multitude of purposes by southwestern United States indigenous peoples.
Navajo Drug, Diaphoretic; Plant used to increase perspiration.
Navajo Drug, Oral Aid; Plant chewed for mouth sores.
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Analgesic; Cold infusion of leaves taken and used as lotion for headache.
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Analgesic for Gynecological Aid; Compound decoction used for menstrual pain.
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Cold Remedy; Chewed leaves swallowed for cold.
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Dermatological Aid; Poultice of chewed leaves or infusion of leaves applied to skin sores.
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Febrifuge; Cold infusion of leaves taken and used as lotion for fever.
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Oral Aid; Warm infusion used as mouthwash and leaves chewed for canker sores.
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Panacea; Plant used as 'life medicine.'
Navajo, Ramah Drug, Snake Bite Remedy; Compound decoction of plant used for snake bite.
