Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV) was detected by RT-PCR in mosaic Zinnia elegans,and the ratio of PCR-positive to negative samples was 83%.The new isolate of CMV was designated CMV-Z.elegans.The cp gene of CMV-Z.elegans was cloned and sequenced,showing the size of 657 bp and sharing the highest identity of 99.70% with both KC407999 (from China) and KC414925 (from Serbia).Phylogenedc analysis indicated that CMV-Z.elegans belongs to CMV subgroup Ⅱ.The virus was mechanically inoculated on to differential host plants including Nicotiana benthamiana,N.occidentalis and Chenopodium amaranticolor,eliciting typical symptoms on these plants.CMV-Z.elegans could cause severe symptoms on Z.elegans plants and decrease ornamental value,thus deserving special attention with respect to their impact on the Z.elegans cultivation.This was the first report of CMV infecting Z.elegans in China.