FloraFinder.org
Home   About Us   FAQ  
Searching   Image Use Plant Books
x
FloraFinder uses cookies only for correct operation. More info. Okay

Zizia aurea (L.) W.D.J. Koch

Golden zizia, golden Alexander, golden Alexanders

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderApialesIncludes carrots, celery, parsley, and ivy
FamilyApiaceaeCarrot or parsley family, also includes angelica, anise, caraway, celery, chervil, cicely, coriander/cilantro, cumin, dill, fennel, hemlock, lovage, Queen Anne’s Lace, parsnip
GenusZiziaNamed for German botanist Johann Baptist Ziz (1779–1829)
SpeciesaureaLatin for “golden”

About plant names...

Golden alexanders are North American natives.

Plants: Up to 1½-3′ (45-91 cm) in height.

Leaves: Lower leaves are divided into threes; upper leaves in two. Leaves are up to 2½″ (7 cm) long and ⅞″ (2.5 cm) wide, with toothed edges.

Flowers: Flowerheads have the overall shape of a gently curved umbrella, divided into smaller groups (parasols?). The smaller groups approximately 25 tiny yellow flowers, each less than ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across, each with five petals.

Fruits: The dried seedheads become purple.

Here are two golden alexanders:

 

Zizia aurea (golden zizia, golden Alexander, golden Alexanders)

5/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Zizia aurea (golden zizia, golden Alexander, golden Alexanders)

5/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

 
Zizia aptera
You are here
Zizia aurea
Common Name

heart-leaved golden alexander

golden zizia
Plant 1-2½′ (30-76 cm) high. 1½-3′ (45-91 cm) high.
Flowers Umbrella-shaped cluster about 2-3″ (5-7.6 cm) across, split into smaller groups of tiny yellow flowers, about 25 per group. Umbrella-shaped cluster about 2″ (5 cm) across, split into smaller groups of tiny yellow flowers, about 25 per group.
Leaves Lower leaves are heart-shaped. Up to 4″ (10 cm) long × 3″ (7.6 cm) wide. Lower leaves divided into threes, upper leaves in two. Up to 2½″ (6.3 cm) long × 2½″ (6.3 cm) wide.
Range/ Zones

USDA Zones: 3-8

USDA Zones: 3-8
Habitats Black soil prairies, hillside prairies, rocky upland woodlands, limestone glades, bluffs, abandoned fields, and roadsides Prairies, glades, open woods, fields, thickets
Type Wild Wild

 

Edibility: Not edible. Caution: the flowerheads of these plants resemble those of water hemlock (Cicuta maculata), which is extremely poisonous Skull & Crossbones. Water hemlock flowers are white, while zizias are yellow.

Online References:

Missouriplants.com

Illinois Wildflowers

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouriplants.com

Zizia aurea (golden zizia, golden Alexander, golden Alexanders)

5/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)

 

Zizia aurea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Zizia aurea (golden zizia, golden Alexander, golden Alexanders)

5/27/2016 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, Mass­a­chu­setts

Range: Zones 3-8:

About this map...