Golden Alexanders Zizia trifoliata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Golden Alexanders:
Previously known as:
- Zizia arenicola
- Zizia bebbii
- Zizia latifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ZIZ-ee-ah try-foh-lee-AY-tuh
- Description
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Zizia trifoliata, Meadows Alexander, is a plant found throughout the eastern parts of the U.S. such as Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vancouver, and Wyoming. Requiring shade, it is often seen in mesic hardwood forests. In North Carolina, it is rarely found along the coast, mainly in locations with very rich soil.
Wildlife Value: Members of the genus Zizia support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Micrandrena) ziziae.
Habitat: Moist forests, woodlands, and woodland borders
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Zizia
- Species:
- trifoliata
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- US Southeast
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) larvae which appear between April and October and have one to two flights in the north or three flights in the south. Adult Black Swallowtail butterflies feed on flower nectar from thistles, milkweed and red clover.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from July to August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Has both basal and stem leaves, divided into smaller leaflets. The leaves have strong and large teeth, but only a few along the margin.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
