Zizia aptera

(A. Gray) Fernald

Golden alexanders

Apiaceae Edible: Flowers 4,856 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Zizia aptera is a flowering plant native to North America. Its common names include meadow zizia, golden alexanders, heart leaved golden alexanders, and prairie golden alexanders.

Description

Heart-leaved Alexander is an evergreen perennial reaching 0.6m tall and wide, hardy to UK zone 5. Insect-pollinated flowers attract wildlife. It prefers well-drained soil in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay with mildly acid to very alkaline pH. It tolerates semi-shade or full sun and adapts to both dry and moist soils, showing drought tolerance.

Edible Uses

None known

Traditional Uses

The flowers with the stems removed are added to salads. The are also cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The presence of secondary compounds such as apterin may contribute to the medicinal potential of Zizia species. Zizia aurea roots have been used by Native Americans as a tea to treat fevers, and the plant has been identified as a vulnerary, or wound-healing, agent.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zone 4.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Propagation

Seed is probably best sown in spring in a cold frame. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in the greenhouse through their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Uses

The flowers are a nectar and pollen source for beneficial insects, attracting butterflies as well as small bees (Halictid, Andrenid, and Nomadine species) and flies (Chloropid, Tachinid, Muscid, Syrphid, and others). Occasional beetles and plant bugs also visit the flowers; bees collect pollen in addition to nectar, while some flies and beetles may feed on pollen alone. The seed heads attract birds. Caterpillars of the Black Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes asterias) feed on the foliage of this and other members of the Carrot family. The plant is well suited to wild gardens, informal plantings, and native wildflower collections. It is also used as a cut flower and in raingarden plantings for water purification.