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Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

Other common name(s):

Golden Zizia

Family:

Apiaceae (Carrot Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

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, Alkaline, 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 plant that also spreads easily by seed. May need to be thinned or pull unwanted seedlings in Spring. This plant looks best when planted en masse 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. Separate clusters of tiny, yellow flowers gather into a large, flat-topped flower head, The lower leaves are divided into threes, while the upper leaves are divided once. Dry seedheads turn purple, providing an attractive summer color. A beautiful spring flower that provides nectar and pollen when other plants are not yet blooming. Attracts bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators. Larval Host for the Black Swallowtail.

References

1) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=zizia+aurea&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ZIAU, 3) http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Ziziaaurea.png, 4) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=29906#null, 5) https://www.xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/22-030_01_NPPBISouthernPlains_web.pdf, 6) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/zizia-aurea http://gardeningsoul.blogspot.com/2021/01/wildflower-wednesday-zizia-aurea.html, 7) https://growitbuildit.com/golden-alexander-grow-and-care/, 8) https://www.gardenista.com/posts/gardening-101-golden-alexander-zizia-aurea/

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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