description Golden Alexanders Overview
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) is a perennial wildflower native to eastern North America and found in moist prairies, meadows, open woodlands, and stream margins. A member of the carrot family, it produces flat-topped clusters of small yellow flowers in spring and early summer. Its flowers provide resources for numerous insects, and its foliage is eaten by caterpillars of the black swallowtail, a butterfly that also uses several other members of the carrot family as host plants.
insights Ranking position
Golden Alexanders ranks #88 of 341 in the Wildflower ranking, behind Nodding Trillium, ahead of Rose Gentian.
help Golden Alexanders FAQ
Is Golden Alexanders a good native alternative to Queen Anne's lace?
Golden Alexanders offers similar flat-topped flower clusters but is native to eastern North America and blooms yellow rather than white. Both belong to the carrot family, Apiaceae, but Queen Anne's lace is the introduced species Daucus carota.
What growing conditions does Zizia aurea prefer?
Zizia aurea grows naturally in moist prairies, meadows, open woodlands, and along streams. It performs well in sun or partial shade when the soil retains some moisture.
When does Golden Alexanders bloom?
Golden Alexanders generally flowers in spring and early summer. Its clusters of small yellow flowers provide relatively early-season resources for visiting insects.
How can Golden Alexanders be distinguished from wild parsnip?
Golden Alexanders is a native perennial with relatively compact yellow flower clusters and leaves divided into toothed leaflets. Wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, is a taller introduced plant whose sap can cause severe skin reactions in sunlight, so uncertain plants should not be handled bare-handed.
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