Alicia Hauff Studio
Mixed Media Fine Artist in Fargo, ND
“Golden Alexander, Cosmopolitan Pollinator Haven”
$1,556.00
“Golden Alexander is one of those natives that every garden should have. It is fairly easy to grow and, although short-lived, will self-seed and persist in many sun/soil situations. Zizia is an important plant to a number of short-tongued insects that are able to easily reach the nectar in the small yellow flowers. Black Swallowtail and Ozark Swallowtails caterpillars will feed on its leaves.
Golden Alexanders have a long bloom time, giving the garden/prairie some well-deserved early color for several weeks in late spring to early summer when many other plants have not yet flowered. Also called Golden Zizia, Golden Alexanders will tolerate a lot of shade but prefer full sun or light shade.
Zizia is a member of the Carrot (Apiaceae) family with yellow umbel flowers. Our website also features the following species with similar blossoms: Taenidia integerrima (Yellow Pimpernel), Polytaenia nuttallii (Prairie Parsley), and Thaspium trifoliatum (Meadow Parsnip). Of course, Zizia aptera (Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders) is most similar and could be difficult to distinguish from Zizia aurea were it not for the heart-shaped leaves at the base of the plant. Heart-leaf Golden Alexanders can endure drier soils also.
All of these important perennial native plants should not be confused with the similar-looking Pastinaca sativa (Wild Parsnip), a highly invasive Eurasian biennial commonly found on roadsides and other disturbed sites. Wild Parsnip is taller than the aforementioned natives, blooms later and can cause painful skin burns.” (Source: Prairie Moon Nursery)
Pollination Facts:
Specialist Pollinators: While visited by many insects, Golden Alexanders are heavily reliant on early-emerging short-tongued bees, paper wasps, and sweat bees. They even have an exclusive relationship with a specialist mining bee, Andrena ziziae, which relies almost entirely on the plant.
- Pollination Mechanism: Because the flower’s female and male reproductive parts mature at different times (a process called protogyny), the plant avoids self-fertilization. The female stigma develops and receives pollen first, before its own male anthers shed pollen.
- Self-Pollinating Capability: Despite the staggered development designed to prevent immediate self-pollination, Golden Alexanders are able to self-pollinate if insect visitation is low, ensuring the plant can still produce seed.
- Butterfly Host Plant: The plant serves as an essential larval host for the Black Swallowtail butterfly. Caterpillars feed on the foliage and flowers.
- Accessible Nectar: Because the flowers are relatively open and the nectar is easily accessible, Golden Alexanders attract beneficial predatory insects (like syrphid flies, ladybugs, and soldier beetles), which help with both pollination and natural pest control.
- Bloom Time: They typically bloom for about a month, starting in mid-to-late spring (April to June), providing an essential energy boost to early-waking insects.
Who is in this piece?
This piece features a Paper Wasp (far left), a Soldier Beetle (upper left on flower), the Golden Alexander Mining bee (left of butterfly), Black Swallowtail Butterfly with caterpillar of the same (on stalk), and a Hoverfly (right).
Frame Details: Hard maple float frame
Framed Size: 25x37x2(inches)
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We offer hand made custom frames constructed from natural wood of your choice. Click on the photos below to open and preview the frame options.
All orders will be shipped in 3-10 business days via USPS Priority mail, UPS or FedEx, depending on the size of the item and whether framing was desired. For medium to larger works, and if crating is needed to safely ship, it will be UPS or FedEX. USPS can ship larger works but it is a lot more expensive!
If I anticipate framing will take longer for any reason, I will reach out and let you know! You will receive a tracking number via email once the work has shipped.
If you are in the Fargo-Moorhead area and wish to pick it up, please select STUDIOPICKUP at checkout. I will have a table in the front lobby with your piece labeled for pick-up between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM. I will always try to say hello if I am in the studio!
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