Heart-leaf Meadow Parsnip

Zizia aptera

Zizia aptera, also known as Heart-leaf Meadow Parsnip is a herbaceous perennial that grows in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. They will tolerate clay, clay-loam, and rocky soils. Once established, it will tolerate drought as the plant creates a central taproot. It grows in small groups in woods and prairies. In early spring into the beginning of summer, hairless stems produce compound umbels with small yellow flowers. Depending on the soil, the flower stalk grows from 1-3′ tall. Visitors include bees, flies, butterflies, beetles, and more. The heart-shaped basal leaves are the plant’s namesake. Black Swallowtail Butterflies use the plant as a host for their larvae.

After flowering, seeds will appear. Leave the attractive seed heads for the birds or collect after they have dried on the stem. They need a minimum of 60 days of cold stratification.

LGS notes:

Heart-leaf Meadow Parsnip is one of my favorites! It’s very easy to grow and the leaves are beautiful. One of the earliest perennials to bloom, I often see tiny pollinators visiting the flowers. – Cianna

I love that this is a native host plant for Swallowtail butterflies! This plant is working great as a slope stabilizer for me in dry part sun, clay soil. – Ari