Zizia aurea aka Golden Zizia

Zizia aurea is a wildflower that lives for many years. It belongs to the carrot family, Apiaceae. People call it golden Alexanders and wild parsley. It grows wild in central and eastern Canada and the United States. It grows in moist prairies, woods, thickets, and open fields. It also grows on rocky bluffs and limestone glades. Plants form upright clumps and may grow in small groups.

Garden plants reach about 1–3.3 feet (0.3–1 metre) tall. NC State gives a shorter range of 1–2 feet (0.3–0.6 metres). Plants spread about 1.6–2 feet (0.5–0.6 metres). Upright stems branch above the clump and have no scent. The green leaves feel smooth and look glossy. The leaflets have fine teeth along their edges. Their shape is oval or like a lance. Lower leaves divide two or three times on long stalks. Upper leaves divide once and grow on shorter stalks. Leaves may turn pale purple in autumn, then die back.

Small yellow flowers grow above the leaves in broad, flat-topped groups called umbels. In each compound umbel, the central flower has no stalk. Each flower has five petals, five sepals, and five stamens. Sources give bloom dates from March through June. NC State lists the bloom season as April to May. Small green fruits form after the blooms in early summer. They are oblong and turn pale purple as autumn nears. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers. Black swallowtail caterpillars also use the plant as a host.

Grow it in sun or part shade with moist soil that drains well. It also grows in light shade beneath trees. Soil with a medium level of nutrients suits it. It grows in clay, loam, chalk, and sand. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Plants cope with some dry weather in summer. Moist soil helps them grow. Sources list USDA zones 3–8 and UK hardiness H5. Plants grow fast and need no routine pruning. Sow seed in a cold frame in autumn, or divide plants.

Use golden Alexanders in meadow, woodland, native, or cottage gardens. Its clump shape and yellow blooms suit planting in groups. The blooms also work as cut flowers. Serious pests and diseases rarely cause problems. Leaves can look worn as summer goes on. Plants may spread through lots of seed where conditions suit them. PFAF lists flowers as edible once you remove the main stem. It describes both raw and cooked uses. PFAF also warns that roots may be toxic. It reports their use in traditional remedies as well. The warning still matters despite the reported food use.