Zizia aurea 'Golden Alexanders'

Zizia aurea, commonly known as golden Alexanders, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It belongs to the Apiaceae or carrot family, which includes other plants such as carrots, celery, and parsley.

The plant grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet, producing clusters of yellow, sweet-scented flowers in spring to early summer. The inflorescence of Zizia aurea is a compound umbel, which is a type of flower cluster where multiple stems converge at a single point to produce a rounded shape. The umbel is composed of many small flowers that are arranged radially around the central point. Each flower has 5 petals and 5 stamens, and they are typically yellow in color, giving the umbel a bright, sunny appearance. The leaves are basal, with a compound structure, and are generally pinnate with serrated edges. The flowers bloom early in the growing season, May through July, giving much-needed color to meadows and prairies while surrounding plants are still green. It is an excellent companion plant to Ohio spiderwort  blooming around the same time.

Zizia aurea is a valuable source of nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. It is relatively easy to grow and is tolerant of a range of soil types, although it prefers moist soils in a sunny or partially shaded location.