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Native Plant Society of Texas

Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

Other common name(s):

Golden Zizia

Family:

Apiaceae (Carrot Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Clay, Limestone, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Caterpillars, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

A short-lived perennial that also spreads easily by seed. Unwanted seedlings may be thinned in spring. It looks best when planted in mass to show off its bright colors. Deer resistant and drought tolerant. Great for a naturalized area in your garden. Propagation: seed, clump division.

Comments

Blooms April-August. Erect, branching, form with reddish stems. The lower leaves are divided into threes, while the upper leaves are divided once. Separate clusters of tiny, yellow flowers gather into a large, flat-topped flower head. Dry seed heads turn purple, providing an attractive summer color. A beautiful spring flower that provides nectar and pollen when other plants are not yet blooming. Larval host: Black Swallowtail.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification Store seeds in the fridge for a couple of months. A soil mix of equal parts potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite will make your seeds happy. Sow them on the surface, a gentle dusting of soil on top, and water with care. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Typically the plant does not bloom in its first season from seed but will begin to flower in its second season. Harvesting seeds from your Golden Alexanders should be timed just right. Midsummer is your window; that's when seeds are mature and ready for collection. Snip the seed heads and let them dry; a paper bag works wonders for catching loose seeds. 1) https://greg.app/propagate-golden-alexanders/#:~:text=Spring%20ushers%20in%20the%20prime,the%20plant%20is%20most%20sensitive. 2) https://www.thespruce.com/growing-golden-alexander-5111951#:~:text=Propagating%20Golden%20Alexander,well%20and%20regularly%20until%20established.
Clump division Division When separating, think gentle but firm—no yanking. Ensure each division has ample roots and a piece of the crown. Replant your divisions promptly, maintaining the same soil depth as before. Generous watering after planting is crucial for establishment. Spring is prime time for division. Avoid the blooming period; this is when the plant is most sensitive. https://greg.app/propagate-golden-alexanders/#:~:text=Spring%20ushers%20in%20the%20prime,the%20plant%20is%20most%20sensitive.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason