Monthly Native Plant Spotlight: Golden Alexander
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Welcome to BSWCD’s monthly native plant spotlight! Each month we will share a native plant found in Ohio as well as the important ecological role each has in our ecosystems.
Our June native plant spotlight is Golden Alexander. Belonging to the carrot family, Golden Alexander, or Zizia aurea, is an herbaceous perennial native to Ohio and the eastern and central regions of North America. This wildflower typically grows anywhere between 8-24 inches tall, showcasing beautiful yellow flowers in a compound umbel structure with a flathead shape from April to June. Each umbel will contain anywhere between 10-18 umbellets, typically with a max of 20 flowers on each umbellet. Flower bloom sometimes does not occur until the second or third season of growth depending on whether you start it from seed or propagation. The upper leaves are pinnately compound, typically with 3-5 narrow leaflets with serrated margins. The base leaves are more ovately shaped when compared to the upper leaves. It will produce its seeds in August and September, which along with the leaves, turn shades of red, purple, or brown in fall.
This species thrives in moist soils with full or partial sun but can tolerate shade and dry summer conditions. It is found in meadows, woodlands, riverbanks, and prairies. Once established, Golden Alexanders are a deer-resistant, low maintenance species with deep taproots, all of which aid their ability to reestablish previously disturbed areas.
These early blooming wildflowers serve as a prime nectar and pollen source for spring pollinators. The easy to access flower surface particularly helps organisms with short mouthparts, such as some bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. Additionally, they help sustain butterfly populations, most notably the Black Swallowtail Butterfly. Females primarily lay their eggs on plant species in the carrot family, which include Golden Alexanders, parsnips, Queen Anne’s Lace, carrots, parsley, fennel, Poison Hemlock, and others. Some members in this family are invasive to Ohio and threaten biodiversity. This makes preserving the native species even more crucial to maintaining our natural ecosystem.
To better protect our native species, it is important to be able to distinguish them from their invasive look-alikes. This ensures the proper removal of problem species in our conservation efforts and the planting of beneficial species in our gardens. As mentioned above, Wild Parsnip is a member of the carrot family, and one that looks almost identical to Golden Alexanders. However, there are a few key differences to look out for to help correctly identify the two. Wild Parsnip has wider, lobed leaves with coarsely serrated margins whereas Golden Alexander leaves are thinner with no lobes and finely serrated margins. The next differentiating feature is their height, with mature Wild Parsnips reaching 4-5 feet and mature Golden Alexanders reaching up to 3 feet on average. Lastly, Wild Parsnips typically bloom between May and August whereas Golden Alexanders bloom between April and June. If you are unsure of the species, it is best to avoid touching it, as Wild Parsnip contains a toxic compound called furocoumarins which can cause skin irritation, rash, or even severe burning and inflammation when exposed to UV light. Try using apps such as iNaturalist to help you identify!
Whether you’re reestablishing a native area or simply looking to plant natives in your garden, Golden Alexanders make great additions, both aesthetically and ecologically. They require less effort and will grow back every year. They also thrive in both wet and dry soils, making them great selections for rain gardens or regular gardens, offering a lot of versatility for planting.
The seeds are typically ready to be harvested in late summer to early fall, when the capsules change from green to brown in color. Golden Alexanders require a cold stratification period to break their natural dormancy. You can either plant directly into the ground in fall for foliage growth the following spring or place them in your refrigerator 2-3 months before planting in containers. After refrigerating, they will need to germinate in indoor containers for about 4-6 weeks before planting outside in spring. You don’t want to transplant seedlings outside until they are at least 2 inches tall and there is no potential for another frost. Planting them directly into the ground in fall requires less preparation but more variability in success in spring. On the contrary, cold stratifying via your refrigerator requires more preparation but can be a more controlled method with a potentially higher success rate. Regardless of your method, these natives make a great addition to any yard and to the environment.
Tune in next month to see which native we’ll showcase for July. BSWCD also has a free seed bank of native plants and vegetables at our office! Our seed bank is open to the public, but in order to save some for everyone, please only take what you need! We are located at 1802 Princeton Rd, Hamilton, OH, 45011.
