Zizia aurea aka Golden Zizia

Taxonomy

Zizia aurea, also known as golden alexanders or golden zizia, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant native to eastern Canada and the United States. Belonging to the carrot family Apiaceae, this plant can reach a height of 80cm and has upright, branching stems and glossy, pinnate leaves with toothed edges. During late spring and early summer, it produces bright yellow flowers in flattened umbels, which are later followed by purplish seed heads. Recognized for its beauty and resilience, Golden Alexanders was chosen as the 2012 NC Wildflower of the Year by the North Carolina Botanical Garden. This versatile plant thrives in various environments, from full to partial sun, as well as light shade under trees. It can be found in habitats such as moist black soil prairies, mesic woodlands, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, and bluffs. The name Zizia aurea is a tribute to Johann Baptist Ziz, a German botanist.

Common names

Golden Zizia, Golden Alexanders, Golden Alexander

How to care for Golden Zizia

Difficulty

Caring for Golden Zizia is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Golden Zizia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Golden Zizia loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Golden Zizia requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Golden Alexanders is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Golden Zizia should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Clumping is a defining characteristic of the Golden Zizia, with new growth appearing from the soil surrounding the primary plant.

Region of origin

Golden Zizia’s native range is Eastern N. America - Quebec to Saskatchewan and south to Texas and Florida..


More info:
Wikipedia