Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Zizia aurea
Source: Donna Bos
image of Flowering plant
Zizia aurea
Golden Alexanders
Zizia doré

Obsolete Names

common alexanders
golden meadowparsnip
golden zizia
zizie dorée
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Medium
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Yellow Bloom period: Apr - Jun
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
bee host Bee host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Zizia aurea
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Prairies
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Zizia aurea

  • Papilio polyxenes (Black Swallowtail)

Specialized Bees Supported by Zizia aurea

  • Andrena ziziae
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

No substitute plant data available for this plant.

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification conditions: jfdklsjfkds;jflfdgfdgfdgfddf
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Best direct sowed in late fall just below surface of cool soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are brown and crisp and starting to open, seeds are dark and tiny stem attaching to the main stem is brown. Seeds easily fall off pod when shaken, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.