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Hibbits, Terry

Polygala ovatifolia

Polygala ovatifolia A. Gray

Eggleaf Milkwort

Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: POOV

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Erect, suffrutescent, branched perennial to 1 foot in height. Stems with soft, dense spreading-pilose hairs. Leaves mostly alternate or occasionally sub-opposite; oblong to oblong-lanceolate; about 1x1/2 inch; margins entire; base obtuse to rounded; apex acute to narrowly obtuse; hirsute with short, spreading hairs on both surfaces and on margins; petiole about 2mm in length. Zygomorphic flowers borne on loose, mostly upright, terminal or axillary panicles 1-3 inches in length; peduncles hirsute; pedicels bracteate and hirsute, 2-5mm; sepals five, outer three green, pilose, inner two white, petalous, spreading as wings; petals three, white to greenish-white, keel blunt with greenish-yellow apex. Fruit an orbicular, winged capsule to about 1/2 inch containing two arils.

Native to South, Southwest and West TX, southern NM and northern MX.