Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders)

Zizia are wildflowers in the carrot family (Apiaceae) found throughout eastern and central North America. The Zizia genus is a larval host plant for the Black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes), whose caterpillars feed on the leaves of this genus, and many common garden plants, like parsley, fennel, and dill.

These deep-rooted perennials produce umbrella-like clusters of bright yellow flowers for a month or two in spring, providing a very important and attractive early nectar source for short-tongued solitary native bees, small native flies, moths and butterflies. The Zizia genus supports a specialist bee, Andrena ziziae Deer and rabbits tend to avoid alexanders, making them a resilient garden choice. It will spread only by seeding, to form a colony over time if there is enough open ground. 

Zizia aurea sports foliage like that of its parsley and parsnip relatives, but is potentially toxic to humans. Try growing it for the bright flowers which occur at the uncommon time of year between spring and summer. While it can be found in dry upland, nd is drought tolerant once established, we find it performs best in moderately moist areas, even a potential species for rain gardens so long as the soil is well draining.