Flower ID: IMG_0326.JPG-06-03-2018 Flower name (scientific): Zizia aurea (Linnaeus) W. D. J. Koch PY: 1824. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ZIZ-ee-uh AW-re-uh Flower name (common): Golden Alexanders Family name (common): Carrot Family name (scientific): Apiaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Named to honor the German botanist Johann Baptist Ziz (1779 - 1829). Specific epithet: From the Latin for golden. Common name origin: Golden references the color of the flowers. Alexanders probably comes from a reference to various herbs of the carrot family. One etymology gives an association of the name with Alexander the Great. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (0.3 to 0.5 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-flat Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is compound Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ternate or 2-ternate (MP), odd-pinnate (IL), leaflet, broadly ovate to oblong-obovate or lanceolate (MP), lanceolate, ovate, cordate, or broadly oblong (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): May to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Streambanks, woodlands, fields, prairies, savannas, thickets, sun to semi-shade, moist to mesic. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Zizia aptera (Heart-leaved Alexanders) and Thaspium trifoliatum (Purple Meadow-parsnip, Smooth Meadow-parsnip) are similar. To differentiate Zizia aurea from Thaspium trifoliatum look for a sessile (stemless) central flower in each umbellet, taking care to examine more than one flower cluster, just in case a central flower has become detached from a cluster, this indicates Zizia aurea. Also Zizia aurea has ridged fruits which are not winged, whereas Thaspium trifoliatum has winged fruits. The latter species is listed as special concern in Wisconsin and its range is restricted to a few counties, most in the southern part of the state. Zizia aptera has simple basal leaves whereas Zizia aurea has compound leaves. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki utilized the root to treat fevers and also used the plant to treat head ache (Smith, p. 250, 1928). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (MB, NB, NS, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Smyrnium aureum Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 262-263 1753. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FAC Wetland Status (MW): FAC