Family: Polygalaceae
blood milkwort, field milkwort, purple milkwort
[Polygala sanguinea f. albiflora L., more...]
Merel R. Black
Emmet J. Judziewicz
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
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, annual, 4"-16" tall forb; stems usually solitary or branching towards the top
Leaves: linear to narrowly-elliptical
Flowers: rose-purple to white, 5-parted, 1/4"-1/3" wide, about half as long as wide, 5 petal-like sepals with the 3 inner ones small and the 2 outer ones large, wing-like, oval; inflorescence a 3/4" dense, terminal cluster (raceme), head-like, rounded to cylindrical up to 1/3" thick; blooms July-Sept.
Habitat: moist; woods, prairies, fields
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual, 4"-16" tall forb; stems usually solitary or branching towards the top
Leaves: linear to narrowly-elliptical
Flowers: rose-purple to white, 5-parted, 1/4"-1/3" wide, about half as long as wide, 5 petal-like sepals with the 3 inner ones small and the 2 outer ones large, wing-like, oval; inflorescence a 3/4" dense, terminal cluster (raceme), head-like, rounded to cylindrical up to 1/3" thick; blooms July-Sept.
Habitat: moist; woods, prairies, fields
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5, Wetland Indicator = FACU Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Steve C. Garske
Merel R. Black
Kitty Kohout
Aaron Carlson
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Steve C. Garske
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
