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Cressler, Alan

Polygala cruciata var. cruciata

Polygala cruciata L. var. cruciata

Drumheads, Candy Root, Crossleaf Milkwort, Cross-leaved Milkwort

Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family)

Synonym(s): Polygala cruciata var. cuspidata, Polygala ramosior

USDA Symbol: POCRC

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Candy Root requires moisture and is found primarily on the coastal plains. It grows up to 12+ inches high and has few branches. The narrow leaves are in whorls of 4. Flowers are usually pink or purplish, occasionally white, and grow in a compact cluster, 1 1/2 inches in diameter, around the upper 2-3 inches of the stem.

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: To about 20 inches in height.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Flowers are usually pink or purplish, occasionally white.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , KY , LA , MD , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA , WV

Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
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 cruciata var. cruciata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Polygala cruciata var. cruciata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polygala cruciata var. cruciata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-01
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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