Zizea aurea, or Golden Alexander, is an herbaceous perennial found in piedmont and mountain counties of NC but is much more widespread in the midwest, north central and northeastern states. It consists of 30-inch, branching, erect, reddish, ridged stems which, like others in the carrot family, are hollow between the nodes. The foliage is lacy, divided, and aromatic. Flowers are bright yellow and numerous, and seedheads turn purple in fall, adding further visual interest. It is easily grown in consistantly moist to wet but well-drained soils, in full sun to partial shade, and is not fussy about pH.This is a short-lived perennial, but persists in the garden or meadow by seeding out. Golden Alexanders are an excellent addition to a wildflower garden because they provide accessible nectar to many beneficial insects with short mouthparts during the spring and early summer, when such flowers are relatively uncommon (Illinoiswildflower.into). It is also a larval host for Black Swallowtail and Ozark Swallowtail butterflies.