Golden Alexander - Zizia aurea

Culture: Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.

Noteworthy Characteristics: Zizia aurea, commonly called golden Alexander, is a  native perennial which occurs most often in small colonies in moist woods and meadows, thickets, glades and prairies. 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 Alexander is a food plant for the larvae of the  woodland swallowtail butterfly (Papilio joanae).

Genus name honors German botanist Johann Baptist Ziz (d. 1829).
Specific epithet means golden.

Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage tends to depreciate as the summer progresses. In ideal conditions can reseed heavily.

Garden Uses: Best massed in open woodland or prairie areas, wild or native plant gardens.

All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden