Zizia aurea | golden Alexander

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Zizias may not the be the most ornamental perennials, but they are invaluable natives (see note below on range) that should be included in the woodland garden.

Z. aurea (meadow parsnip) and Z. aptera (heart-leaved meadow parsnip) are nearly indistinguishable, except that Z. aurea has ovate leaves while Z. aptera has heart-shaped leaves. Otherwise, both have yellow umbel flowers that draw in the pollinators, both host scores of caterpillars, provide nectar for pollinators, and feed songbirds. They are most often found growing in colonies in woodlands or prairies and prefer to grow in consistently moist soil in full sun or part shade. Z. aptera will tolerate some dryness, Z. aurea will not.

Z. aurea is native only to eastern and central US, but it is found more widely through its range than Z. aptera.

Syn. Thaspium aureum, Carum aureum, Sison aureum, and Smyrnium aureum

Zones: 3 to 8
Family: Apiaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 12 to 36 in.
Spread: 18 to 24 in.
Exposure: full sun to part shade
Soil: average to moist, well-drained soil
Bloom Time: May to June
Native Range: across much of the US (see above)