Heart-leaved Meadow Alexander - Zizia aptera

Heart-leaved meadow alexander (Zizia aptera) is a perennial wildflower recorded only from Holmes and Calhoun Counties in the Florida Panhandle though it is widespread throughout much of the eastern and upper western states of the U.S.  Throughout this region, it occurs in the semi-shaded and moist understories of deciduous woodlands. It is easily distinguished from its more-common and sometimes propagated relative (Z. aurea) by its heart-shaped basal leaves.  Both are members of the carrot family (Apiaceae) and are often reputed to be hosts for the eastern black swallowtail. Though this may be the case, neither plant is listed as such in most of the references I have.

Heart-leaved meadow alexander emerges in the early spring and reaches its mature height of 1-3 feet by April to early May.  Like other members of this genus, it produces a broad crown (2-3 inches across) of golden-yellow tiny flowers on a compound umbel.  These are aesthetically attractive, but also draw the attention of small bees, syrphid flies, and butterflies.  Small dark-brown seeds mature by summer and can be used to propagate additional plants. Like other "carrots", sow these seed just beneath the soil.

This is a rare plant in Florida and not likely to be propagated in the future by native nurseries here, though it may be possible to find seed from out-of-state sources. As its close relative, Z. aurea, is often available, it would seem best to rely on it for landscape uses. 

The photos above were taken by my friend Lily Byrd and are used with permission.