Indiana State Flower Archives

Johann Gottfried Zinn: The Young Anatomist and Botanist Behind the Zinnia Flower

Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727-1759), a prominent German anatomist and botanist.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 6, 1759 Dearest reader, On this day, we remember the brief yet brilliant life of Johann Zinn, who, though he lived but 32 years before succumbing to tuberculosis, left an indelible mark…

Johann Zinn and the Cinderella Flower: From Eyesore to Beloved Zinnia

The Cinderella Flower April 6, 1759 Today is the anniversary of the death of Johann Zinn, who died young at the age of 32. Johann accomplished much in his short life, and he focused on two seemingly disconnected areas of science: human anatomy and botany. From an anatomy standpoint, Johann focused on the eye. He…

March 15, 2021 The Rule of 3 For Pollinator Plants, Archibald Menzies, Liberty Hyde Bailey, Roy Lancaster Remembers a Snow Gum Tree, Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway, and the Indiana State Flower

The Daily Gardener Podcast Album Cover with a pot of rosemary - the herb for remembrance - beckoning gardeners to remember to listen to the show. Updated September 2025.

Indiana’s State Flower Debate: Peony vs. Fire Pink and Other Beauties

A Tree Peony, scientifically known as Paeonia suffruticosa.

Peony to Fire Pink February 24, 2001 On this day, The Daily Journal out of Franklin, Indiana, shared an article called, Selection of State Flower Deserves Much Thought by “Bayou” Bill Scifres (“Sy-fers”). The article discusses the desire to change the State Flower of Indiana. “Well, we are at it again. Again we are embroiled in the state flower…

Johann Zinn: Botanist and Anatomist Remembered

Zinn and Zinnias Today is the anniversary of the death of Johann Zinn, who died young at the age of 32. Still, Zinn accomplished much in his short life, and he focused on two areas of science: human anatomy and botany. From an anatomy standpoint, in his early twenties, Zinn wrote an eye anatomy…

Johann Gottfried Zinn: Botanist and Anatomist Remembered in Flower and Eye

Johann Gottfried Zinn, a German anatomist and botanist.

Initial Anatomy of the Iris Today is the birthday of Johann Gottfried Zinn, who was born on this day in 1727. Zinn died at the age of 32, but he accomplished much in his short life, and he focused on two areas of science: human anatomy and botany. From an anatomy standpoint, in his early…