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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Zizia aurea

Common Golden-Alexanders

Scientific Name:

Zizia aurea

Genus:

Zizia

Species Epithet:

aurea

Common Name:

Common Golden-Alexanders

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Apiaceae (Carrot Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Yellow

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Moist forests, woodlands, and woodland borders. Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont, rare in Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Compound

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure, S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Attracts Black Swallowtail butterflies and is host to their caterpillars. Common Mountains to piedmont, rare coastal to sandhills

Blooming Plants

image

edge of a farm pasture, Black Mountain, late May 2002
© MB Baumeister

Flower Sort of like a yellow Queen Anne's Lace.

image

edge of a farm pasture, Black Mountain, late May 2002
© MB Baumeister

Buds

image

edge of a farm pasture, Black Mountain, late May 2002
© MB Baumeister

Seeds Forming

image

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

The blossoms of Zizia aurea have numerous tiny yellow blossoms arranged in flat-topped clusters of a dozen or so umbels. The leaves are deeply divided and the margins of the leaflets have many small teeth.

The Scientific Name is Zizia aurea. You will likely hear them called Common Golden-Alexanders. This picture shows the The blossoms of Zizia aurea have numerous tiny yellow blossoms arranged in flat-topped clusters of a dozen or so umbels.  The leaves are deeply divided and the margins of the leaflets have many small teeth.  of Zizia aurea

Will Stuart

Masses of Common Golden-Alexander and Eastern Columbine make an excellent color and texture combination in a sunny bed in early April. This image is from the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill.

The Scientific Name is Zizia aurea. You will likely hear them called Common Golden-Alexanders. This picture shows the Masses of Common Golden-Alexander and Eastern Columbine make an excellent color and texture combination in a sunny bed in early April.  This image is from the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill. of Zizia aurea

Will Stuart

Golden Alexanders seeds, collected from cultivated plants.

Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Zizia aurea. You will likely hear them called Common Golden-Alexanders. This picture shows the Golden Alexanders seeds, collected from cultivated plants. of Zizia aurea

Annkatrin Rose

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
 

NC State Extension
 



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