Zizia

Zizia
A small genus of perennials that are distant relatives of Parsley.

* photos taken on Apr 20 2017 in Columbia, MD

Zizia aptera ( Heartleaf Alexander )
A perennial, reaching up to 3 ( rarely over 1.5 ) feet, that is native to North America ( from near Quesnel, British Columbia to Dawson Creek, B.C. to High Level in northern Alberta to Dauphin, Manitoba to Winnipeg, Manitoba to Southampton, Ontario to southeast Quebec & New York; south to Oregon to Colorado to south Dakota to Arkansas to far northern Florida ). It is endangered in Ontario though was abundant on Pelee Islands and moderately common along the Detroit River during the 1800s. It is found on prairies in the wild. It is an important host plant for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly.
The finely-toothed, cordate, broadly-ovate leaves, up to 4.8 inches in length, are glossy deep green.
The golden-yellow flowers are borne on umbels during mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist, well drained soil.

Zizia aurea ( Golden Alexander )
A perennial, reaching up to 4 x 3 ( rarely over 2.5 ) feet, that is native to moist prairies, woodlands and swamps in North America ( from Saskatchewan to Manitoba to Rainy River, Ontario to Lake Nipigon, Ontario to Stokes Bay, Ontario to New Brunswick; south to eastern Texas to far northern Florida ). In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was present but uncommon around Point Pelee and the Lake Erie islands during the 1800s. During the presettlement era; it was abundant at Detroit. It looks best when planted in groups. It is an important host plant for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly.
The bipinnate leaves are composed of finely-toothed, ovate leaflets, up to 2 inches in length. The foliage is rich deep green.
The golden-yellow flowers are borne in flat heads, up to 2 inches across, during mid-spring to early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun or partial shade on moist, well drained soil. Tolerant of sand and clay, it also thrives on floodplains. Deer resistant.

* photo taken on July 11 2014 in Washington, DC

* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on July 7 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 17 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on May 25 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 25 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 24 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 1 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 6 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD