{"product_id":"golden-alexander-zizia-aurea","title":"Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGolden Alexander \u003cem\u003e(Zizia aurea)\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGolden Alexander is the spring prairie's first golden wildflower — its flat-topped clusters of bright yellow flowers appearing in April and May when the native bee world is just waking up and desperately needs nectar. It is a member of the carrot family, and like all members of that family, its open, accessible flowers welcome an extraordinary diversity of small native bees, wasps, beetles, and flies that larger, more complex flowers exclude.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBotanical Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Apiaceae (Carrot family)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eastern and central North America from Quebec to Florida and west to Saskatchewan and Texas; native to Louisiana's moist prairies, stream banks, and open woodland edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1–3 feet tall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e April–June (one of the earliest native wildflowers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist to average; tolerates clay and periodic wet conditions; adaptable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eEcological Role\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGolden Alexander is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly and the Ozark Swallowtail — its leaves the food source for their caterpillars, which mimic bird droppings in early instars and sport the classic green-and-black swallowtail pattern in later instars. Its early spring bloom makes it one of the most critical nectar sources for native bees emerging from winter dormancy, including specialist \u003cem\u003eAndrena\u003c\/em\u003e bees. It is one of the few native wildflowers that thrives in both sun and part shade, making it exceptionally versatile in the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIn the Living Canopy \u0026amp; Understory\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003cem\u003eJardin — The Living Canopy \u0026amp; Understory\u003c\/em\u003e collection at Big Mamou Enterprises, Golden Alexander is the spring garden's first golden gift — early, versatile, and alive with Black Swallowtail caterpillars through the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Big Mamou Enterprises","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49766116851952,"sku":null,"price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0824\/7171\/5056\/files\/image_7c4f4d96-d88c-4a25-ac99-c822a0da5517.png?v=1779824134","url":"https:\/\/realtimecajun.com\/products\/golden-alexander-zizia-aurea","provider":"Big Mamou Enterprises","version":"1.0","type":"link"}