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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Polygala obscura (Velvetseed milkwort)
Anderson, Wynn

Polygala obscura

Polygala obscura Benth.

Velvetseed Milkwort

Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family)

Synonym(s): Polygala orthotricha, Polygala puberula

USDA Symbol: POOB

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Velvetseed Milkwort has orchid-colored sepals and petals a shade lighter. The flowers are no more than 3/8 inch across, growing alternately on the tiny stem. Like many small flowers, these have an intricate design, and a hand lens is necessary for detailed viewing. The plant grows 6-24 inches high with alternate leaves 1 inch or more long, smooth and slightly gray-green.

 

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall, occasionally taller.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Polygala obscura in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Polygala obscura in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polygala obscura

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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