Wild Parsnip vs Golden Alexanders
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These plants are frequently confused as both have similar-arranged clusters of yellow flowers and similar growth habits. They are easy to tell apart by a look at the leaf structure, and in winter, by their seeds.
Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) | Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) |
An introduced perennial, from which cultivated parsnips are derived. Established across North America and invasive in the northeast and Midwest. | A carrot-family perennial of moist to mesic, sunny areas, with yellow blossoms, native to eastern North America. |
 Leaves are pinnately compound, not usually doubly-compound. Photo © Andrea Wallace, CC BY 4.0. |  Leaves doubly-compound, usually with two sets of three leaflets close to the base of each leaf. Photo © tkr421, CC BY 4.0. |
References & External Resources
These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.
