Golden alexanders

Zizia aurea (L.) Koch

Family: Apiaceae (carrot)

Ashley Bennett, MSU Entomology

Golden Alexanders

Bloom Period:
- Early,
Growth Cycle:
- Perennial,
Growth Habit:
- Shrub,
- Tree,
Insect Type Attracted:
- Natural Enemy,
- Pollinator,
Light:
- Full,
- Partial,
Region:
- Northern Lower Peninsula,
- Southern Lower Peninsula,
Soil Moisture:
- Medium,
- Wet
Height:
- 2-3ft

Natural enemies attracted

Moderately attractive: Chalcidoidea and Empididae.

Mildly attractive: Orius insidiosus, Cynipoidea and Coccinellidae

Pollinators attracted

Moderately attractive: of bees including yellow-faced bees, Andrenid bees, sweat bees, and cuckoo bees.

Pests attracted

Moderately attractive: thrips, lygus bugs, and aphids.

Mildly attractive: leafhoppers, weevils and froghoppers.

Plant notes

Flat, yellow flower clusters from 2-4 inches across open on stalks 2-3 ft tall. This species was small in stature in its second year of growth, but filled in completely and bloomed prolifically by the third year. Plants bloomed from late May through mid June. This species was the fourth most attractive to natural enemies in the early season.

Habitat

Golden alexanders grows in full sun to partial sun, and average to moist soils. It is naturally occurring in areas with tamarack and poison sumac in boggy ground and fens, and on river banks in openings and thickets. It is also found in open woods, meadows, and along fencerows.

Cultivation and management

This plant can be grown from seed (It flowers in the third year.) or plug material (flowers in second year). Its attractive foliage remains lush for the entire growing season.