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Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

CommonPlant
Illustration of Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

Golden Alexanders is an early-blooming native wildflower in the carrot family that provides critical early-season nectar and pollen in May and June when few other wildflowers are available. It is a larval host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly. It grows in moist prairies, woodland edges, and stream corridors across eastern and central North America.

Habitat
Moist prairies, woodland edges, and stream corridors in eastern North America
Diet
Critical early nectar for native bees; larval host for black swallowtail butterfly
How common
Common

Best time to see a Golden Alexanders

The best time to see a Golden Alexanders is April–May, when about 74% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 18,017 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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