Golden Zizia
(Zizia aurea)
Golden Zizia (Zizia aurea)
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Ian Wolfe
Public Domain
Image By:
Ian Wolfe
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Ian Wolfe | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Ian Wolfe | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-01T10:20:23-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Zizia aurea, commonly known as Golden Zizia, is a deciduous perennial herb native to meadows, open woodlands, and floodplain forests in the Central and Eastern USA, as well as Southeast Canada. It typically grows to 40 to 75 centimeters (16 to 30 inches) tall, occasionally reaching greater heights. The plant features a dense cluster of coarse fibrous roots. Golden Zizia produces bright yellow flowers from May to June, which are arranged in a flat-topped umbel at the plant’s apex. Each tiny flower, measuring only 3 mm (0.12 inches) in length, comprises five sepals, five petals, and five stamens. Post-bloom, it yields a 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 inches) long oblong fruit (schizocarp) that houses two seeds. In autumn, both the foliage and fruit take on a purple hue.
Golden Zizia is valued for its vibrant yellow flowers and its adaptability to various moisture conditions, including dry summers. It is a popular choice for native plant gardens, meadow plantings, and as a component of pollinator-friendly landscapes due to its attractiveness to bees and butterflies. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist soils but can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is hardy in USDA zones 4–9, gardeners should ensure it is not planted in overly dry sites. Golden Zizia is relatively low-maintenance, but it can be susceptible to leaf spots and rust, although these issues are generally not severe.CC BY-SA 4.0
Golden Zizia is valued for its vibrant yellow flowers and its adaptability to various moisture conditions, including dry summers. It is a popular choice for native plant gardens, meadow plantings, and as a component of pollinator-friendly landscapes due to its attractiveness to bees and butterflies. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist soils but can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is hardy in USDA zones 4–9, gardeners should ensure it is not planted in overly dry sites. Golden Zizia is relatively low-maintenance, but it can be susceptible to leaf spots and rust, although these issues are generally not severe.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1.5-3 feet
- Width: 1.5-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to meadows, open woodlands, and floodplain forests
Other Names
Common Names: Golden Alexanders
Scientific Names: , Zizia aurea, Smyrnium aureum, Sison aureum, Zizia aurea var. obtusifolia, Carum aureum, Smyrnium acuminatum, Smyrnium luteum, Zizia aurea f. aurea, Zizia aurea f. obtusifolia
GBIF Accepted Name: Zizia aurea (L.) W.D.J.Koch