June 2005
Ohio Prairie Plant of the MonthSpecies
Common Name Golden Alexanders
Latin Name: Zizia aurea [Pronounced: "ZIZZ-ee-ah AR-ee-ah"]
Type of Plant: Prairie Forb ("wildflower")
Identification Helps: Compound leaves, yellow domed flower clusters. The central flower of each cluster lacks a stalk.
Similar Species: Zizia aptera, Heart-leaved Meadow Parsnip, is similar in color and form, but the central flower in each cluster has a stalk. Z. aptera occurs in dry prairies.
Preferred Growing Conditions in the Wild: Golden Alexanders grows in wet or moist soils.
Seasons of Growth and Bloom: The species blooms from late May through early July.
Natural Distribution in Ohio: Ohio Spiderwort grows frequently in wet prairies in all Ohio prairie regions.
Description and General Information: This yellow-flowered forb is easily re-identified, once seen. I looks a bit like a small, yellow Queen Anne's Lace. It grows as tall at 3 ft, but is usually smaller.