Zizia aurea - Golden Alexanders

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Quebec to Saskatchewan and south to Texas and Florida..

Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Golden Alexanders will flower in November to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Golden Alexanders will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Golden Alexanders prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Golden Alexanders should not be planted in shady areas.

Moist meadowland[200]. Dry woods and rocky outcrops[222].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist soil and a position in full sun[200]. Suitable for the wild garden and other informal plantings as well as collections of native wild flowers[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The flowers, with the main stem removed, are a welcome addition to a tossed green salad. They are also a delicious cooked vegetable when used in a similar manner to broccoli[183].

• Flowers -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
A tea made from the root is febrifuge[222, 257]. The root is also believed to be vulnerary and hypnotic[222].

• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Hypnotic - Induces sleep.
• Vulnerary - Promotes the healing of wounds.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but it is probably best sown in spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Known Hazards

There is a report that the root might be toxic[222].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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