Inflorescences of Sanvitalia procumbens
Commonly known as Mexican creeping zinnia in English, my preference is for the more evocative Mexican common name: ojo de pollo, or chicken eye.
The genus is named in honour of mathematician Federico Sanvitale, while procumbens is a reference to the procumbent habit of the plant (its stems are ground-hugging, but do not set roots). This species has been introduced into horticulture as a groundcover or hanging basket plant, which perhaps explains its presence in parts of Europe, east Asia, South America, and the USA. Its native distribution covers parts of México and Central America.
This specimen was photographed in San Miguel de Allende’s El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, but I also noted plants growing along the path in a cemetery and between the stones of a hotel parking lot. In the wild, it grows in dry, rocky habitats. Considering its resistance/tolerance to abrasion, crushing, drought, and heat, it is perhaps unexpected that this species has an annual life cycle.
“Chicken Eye” is a very fitting name. Love it!
Has occasionally seeded itself and come back after winter in my Massachusetts garden. Likes hot, dry location here too.
I love this plant, and like the Ojo de Pollo name, too. Unfortunately the slugs and snails really like this plant, so for me it only works in hanging baskets. And here in the PNW, the climate is kind of borderline for the hot and dry, although it certainly is moving more in that direction.