Golden Zizia

Golden Zizia

Zizia aurea

I have this plant, more commonly known as Golden Alexanders, growing profusely in my restored prairie. Apparently it's fairly common in native prairies and I can see why.  It faithfully comes up year after year and doesn't seem to be bothered by the takeover of Canadian Goldenrod and some of the other "weeds" that are fighting my prairie plants.

For some reason, the alternate common name of this plant is Golden Alexanders, as if it was more than one Alexander. I Googled all day and couldn't find out why.

On an interesting note, this plant earned the distinction of being the 2012 North Carolina Wildflower of the Year!  Cliff Clavin would have loved Google.