Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

Apiaceae

Growth Habit

Herbaceous

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: 60/120 days cold/moist stratification. Spotty germination

Biocultural Value

The Meskwaki prescribed the roots as a fever remedy and included the powdered flower stalks in a compound for headaches.

Wildlife Value

Golden alexanders andrena (Andrena ziziae), a specialist mining bee, collects pollen only from Zizia. Other bees, azure butterflies (Celastrina spp.), ebony bugs (Corimelaena spp.), and soldier beetles (Rhagonycha spp.) feed on the nectar. Zizia is a larval host plant for black swallowtails (Papilio polyxenes), Ozark swallowtails (Papilio joanae), and the rigid sunflower borer (Papaipema rigida). Ladybird beetles (Cycloneda spp.) often lay their eggs under the flowerheads and near clusters of aphids (usually Aphis saniculae and A. thaspii), which provide food for both adults and larvae.

Location

Fall Creek Gorge, Mundy Wildflower Garden

Cultivation

A 1-3' tall plant with with umbels of yellow flowers that may appear in both spring and fall.

Light: sun to light shade

Moisture and Soil: self sows in moist to wet soil - will grow but not spread in drier soil.

Special characteristics

This excellent garden plant supports native pollinators and often blooms multiple times a year. Late flower buds will even overwinter for early bloom the next spring.

Climate Change Sensitivity

Over the period from 1986 to 2015, Zizea aurea bloomed an average of 21 days earlier.