Description
Heart-Leaf Golden Alexanders (Zizia aptera), also known as Meadow Zizia or Prairie Golden Alexanders, is a cheerful, early-blooming native wildflower in the carrot family (Apiaceae). It stands 1 to 2 feet tall with distinctive heart-shaped basal leaves and flat-topped clusters of bright yellow flowers that appear in late spring.
A favorite among pollinators, it attracts bees, butterflies, and Black Swallowtail caterpillars that feed on its foliage. Though considered a short-lived perennial (typically living around five years), it reseeds easily and forms colonies over time—without becoming aggressive or invasive.
This adaptable plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, dry to medium soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It’s well-suited for rain gardens, prairies, and naturalized areas, and is listed as endangered, threatened, or rare in several U.S. states, making its cultivation especially meaningful for conservation-minded gardeners.
