Research conducted and descriptions written by Burley Middle School 6th grade students in 2023 with minor editing by RCA staff.
The golden Alexander, or Zizia aurea, has a bunch of small, bright golden flower clusters packed together at the end of a green stem. There are multiple bunches of flowers connected to one big green stem. The golden Alexander can grow to at most 2 feet tall. The golden Alexander blooms either in May or June. The flowers are small and golden yellow. The ideal habitat for the golden Alexander is a place with lots of sun, and moist soil. The golden Alexander is a native plant that supports pollinators like bees and butterflies. One benefit to the ecosystem is the fact that it attracts insects, bugs, and other animals like butterflies, beetles, caterpillars, flies, wasps, and bees. The golden Alexander is very pest resistant, and does not notably attract any pests.
Fun facts: The Native Americans would turn the golden Alexander into tea and use it to cure fevers. The golden Alexander likes moist soils, but has been known to survive harsh, dry summers.