The thick, glossy semi-evergreen foliage looks a little like Lenten Rose and provides nice contrast to other native plants. Small yellow flowers in flat heads bloom April-June. The flowers are nice for fresh or dried arrangements. This member of the carrot family is attractive for its foliage and yellow flowers lasting six weeks, which are followed by ornate seed clusters. A shorter relative of the taller golden alexanders (Zizia aurea).Part of our Pollinator Buffet plant tag series. Digger bees are solitary and dig nests in spring to raise young. Used by many small bees and flies. This is the host plant for black and Missouri woodlands swallowtail.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Heartleaf Golden Alexanders
Zizia aptera
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Prairie, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest:
Main Color: Yellow
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
12 to
18
inches
Spread:
12 to
16
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
18
inches
Spread: 12 to
16
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
18
inches
Spread: 12 to
16
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Use in perennial gardens, native gardens, butterfly gardens and woodlands.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in full sun to partial shade in dry to average soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Fresh Cut Flower, Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.