Golden Alexander

Scientific Name: Zizia aurea  
Common Name: Golden Alexander, golden zizia  
Plant Family: Apiaceae  

Etymology: The genus name, Zizia, is named after Johann Baptist Ziz, an 18th-century German botanist. The species name, aurea, comes from the Latin word meaning "golden," referring to the bright yellow flowers of the plant. 

Indigenous Uses  

• Analgestic compound containing flower stalks used as snuff for sick headache.  
• Febrifuge root used for fevers and compound containing flower stalks used for headaches  

Edible Parts

The leaves and young shoots of Golden Alexander are edible. They can be eaten raw or cooked. 

Gathering and Using

The leaves and young shoots can be harvested and used in salads, soups, or as a cooked vegetable. 

Permaculture Functions and Considerations

Golden Alexander can be used in permaculture gardens as a beneficial plant for attracting pollinators. It can also contribute to habitat restoration and conservation efforts. 

Habitat

Golden Alexander is commonly found on the edges of forests, in power line clearings, abandoned fields, overgrown urban lots, meadows, savannas, and thickets. 

How to Identify

Golden Alexander is a short-lived perennial with well-formed branches, sturdy stems, and serrated green leaves. It bears bright yellow flat-topped flower umbels during its May to June bloom time. 

Wildlife Support

Golden Alexander is attractive to various pollinators, including butterflies, bees, wasps, beetles, and flies. It provides a source of nectar and habitat for these beneficial insects. 

Additional Information

Golden Alexander is native to parts of Canada, the New England States, and along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. It is commercially available from nurseries specializing in native plants. 

Sources

• Missouri Botanical Garden 
• Native American Ethnobotany by Daniel E. Moerman