golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) is in the carrot family family (Apiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,313 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph golden Alexanders: observations by month (U.S.)
About golden Alexanders
Zizia aurea (golden alexanders, golden zizia) is a flowering perennial forb of the carrot family (Apiaceae). It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9. It can be found from New Brunswick to Saskatchewan in Canada, south to Florida and Texas in the United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
golden Alexanders by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 506 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 272 | May | May–May |
| Minnesota | 221 | June | May–Jun |
| Illinois | 186 | May | Apr–May |
| New York | 160 | May | Apr–May |
| Massachusetts | 151 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 141 | May | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 131 | May | Apr–May |
| New Hampshire | 88 | May | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 74 | April | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 66 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Maryland | 46 | April | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 40 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 37 | May | May–Jun |
| Maine | 29 | June | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 21 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Iowa | 20 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 20 | May | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 17 | May | May–May |
| Tennessee | 14 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Missouri | 12 | May | Apr–May |
| Delaware | 10 | April | Apr–May |
| Alabama | 9 | March | Mar–May |
| Mississippi | 9 | March | Mar–Mar |
| West Virginia | 6 | April | Apr–May |
| Kansas | 5 | April | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (carrot family)
Wild Carrot
Poison Hemlock
Harbinger of Spring
Common Cowparsnip
Purple Sanicle
Aniseroot
Wild Parsnip
Pacific Sanicle
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph golden Alexanders?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is golden Alexanders most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, Ohio, Minnesota.