golden alexanders

noun

golden al·​ex·​an·​ders -ˌa-lig-ˈzan-dərz How to pronounce golden alexanders (audio)
-ˌe-lig-
variants or golden Alexanders
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a North American yellow-flowered perennial herb (Zizia aurea) of the carrot family occurring in moist woods and meadows
also : any of several related herbs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Perennials include milkweeds, asters, senna, golden alexanders, violets, toothworts, turtlehead, hairy beardtongue, hibiscus, and pussytoes. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2022 The plant on the left is the nearly-identical Zizia aurea, also called golden Alexander — a native perennial and important plant food for the Missouri woodland swallowtail butterfly, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 3 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'golden alexanders.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

alexander any of various herbs of the carrot family, ultimately from Medieval Latin alexandrum

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of golden alexanders was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near golden alexanders

Cite this Entry

“Golden alexanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/golden%20alexanders. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

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