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

Examples of golden alexanders in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Like most meadow stewards, I’m transfixed from the first golden alexanders of spring to the last goldenrods and Joe Pye weeds of autumn. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 21 June 2023 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

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 8 Nov. 2024.

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