Zizia aurea
Zizia aurea, commonly called Golden Alexanders is a native perennial which occurs most often in small colonies in moist woods and meadows, thickets, glades and prairies. It features flat-topped clusters (compound umbels) of tiny yellow flowers in late spring atop stems growing to 3' tall. Distinguished from other carrot family members by the absence of a flower stalk on the central flower of each umbel. Both basal and stem leaves are compound biternate with toothed leaflets. The similar Zizia aptera has simple, heart-shaped basal leaves. Golden Alexanders is a food plant for the larvae of the woodland swallowtail butterfly (Papilio joanae).
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.
We grow it as and understory plant in our oak woodland where it outcompetes Asiatic stilt grass. Because it can be an aggressive spreader itself, after it is done flowering, we mow it and it recovers to form a high ground cover until the next spring when it blooms again. Let it go to seed if you want it to spread.
Prices listed are subject to change, based upon size change and availability.
We are a small local nursery with limited shipping capability. We will do our best to ship smaller material (usually 1 or 2 gallon), although we can sometimes ship larger plants with the pots removed.
We have some species that are not listed, as we have too few of them to make a full listing plausible. You can always inquire.
We will consider contract growing an order with appropriate advance notice and availability of seed, cuttings or lining out stock.