Family: Polygalaceae
Seneca snakeroot, senega root
Kitty Kohout
Christopher Noll
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, perennial, 4"-20" tall forb; stems mostly clustered, unbranched
Leaves: alternate, lower scale-like, upper linear to lance-like
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, wider than long, 5 petal-like sepals with the 3 inner ones small and the 2 outer ones large, wing-like, widely elliptical; inflorescence a 1 1/2" dense, spike-like, blunt-tipped, long-stalked cluster (raceme); blooms May-June
Habitat: dry to moist; woods, prairies; in often limy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 4"-20" tall forb; stems mostly clustered, unbranched
Leaves: alternate, lower scale-like, upper linear to lance-like
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, wider than long, 5 petal-like sepals with the 3 inner ones small and the 2 outer ones large, wing-like, widely elliptical; inflorescence a 1 1/2" dense, spike-like, blunt-tipped, long-stalked cluster (raceme); blooms May-June
Habitat: dry to moist; woods, prairies; in often limy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8, 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. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Christopher Noll
Derek Anderson
Botanical Illustration
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Marion Sheehan
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Damon A. Smith
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Marion Sheehan