Zizia aurea

Golden Alexander is a Missouri native perennial which occurs most often in small colonies in moist woods and meadows, thickets, glades and prairies. Features flat-topped clusters (compound umbels) of tiny yellow flowers in late spring atop stems growing to 3' tall. Distinguished from other carrot family members by the absence of a flower stalk on the central flower of each umbel. Both basal and stem leaves are compound biternate with toothed leaflets. The similar Zizia aptera has simple, heart-shaped basal leaves. Golden Alexanders is a food plant for the larvae of the Missouri woodland swallowtail butterfly (Papilio joanae). Similar to Z. aptera which has a heart shaped basal leaf and reddish stem.