Family: Polygalaceae
flowering-wintergreen, fringed polygala, gay-wings
Merel R. Black
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Mary Ann Feist
Etymology: Polygala: from Greek polys, "many or much," and gala, "milk," since it was thought that the presence of some of the species in a pasture increased the yield of milk
Plants: erect, perennial, 3"-6" tall, evergreen forb; stems usually solitary; colony-forming rhizomes from small tubers
Leaves: lower scale-like, 3-6 oval to elliptical ones near the top
Flowers: rose-purple to white, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" wide, about as wide as long, 5 petal-like sepals with the 3 inner ones small and the 2 outer ones very large and wing-like; inflorescence of 1-4 long-stalked flowers in a very short, terminal cluster (raceme); blooms May-June
Habitat: moderate moisture to moist; forests
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 3"-6" tall, evergreen forb; stems usually solitary; colony-forming rhizomes from small tubers
Leaves: lower scale-like, 3-6 oval to elliptical ones near the top
Flowers: rose-purple to white, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" wide, about as wide as long, 5 petal-like sepals with the 3 inner ones small and the 2 outer ones very large and wing-like; inflorescence of 1-4 long-stalked flowers in a very short, terminal cluster (raceme); blooms May-June
Habitat: moderate moisture to moist; forests
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = FACU USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Aaron Carlson
Janice Stiefel
Merel R. Black
Aaron Carlson
Robert Bierman
Janice Stiefel
Robert Bierman
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
Matthew L. Wagner
Aaron Carlson
Matthew L. Wagner
Aaron Carlson
Mary Ann Feist
Botanical Illustration
Caroline A. Creevey
