Zizia aptera

Sizes Available: HPP 2.5x2.5x3.5 inch pot

Basics: zones 3-8, 1-3' x 1-1.5', sun to part shade, tiny yellow flowers aggregate as flat-topped flower heads blooming in mid to late spring, well-drained soils comprised of sand or sandy-clay, likes a medium moisture environment, but drought tolerant once established, may prefer alkaline soils

Common names: Heart-leaved Alexanders, Meadow Zizia, Prairie Golden Alexanders, Heart-leaved Meadow Parsnip

Family: Apiaceae

Origin/Distribution: New York to Ohio, Wisconsin, Manitoba, and Eastern British Columbia south to Georgia, Arkansas, northeastern West Virginia west to Oregon. This plant grows in southern Connecticut and Rhode Island (Go Botany says still present in RI; other sources say it has been extirpated from there).

Habitat: open woods, moist prairies, glades, thickets, floodplains, shell middens (current Connecticut population as well as historic records)

More: Zizia aptera is easily distinguished from Zizia aurea (native to Maine) by its heart-shaped leaves. Supposedly more drought tolerant than Z. aurea, its native range begins further south in New England. It is a larval host for the Black Swallowtail, Papilio polygenes, which is native to Maine. Short-tongued bees, pollinating flies, and beetles are attracted to the nectar and pollen. Best grown in a little colony for visual impact and efficient foraging. Has potential as a cut flower. According to Go Botany 'Shading, competition from native or invasive plants, inappropriate disturbances and habitat conversions..." threaten this plant.

Nursery: Honey petal Plants grown from seed from the Wild Seed Project

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons