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Cressler, Alan

Polygala polygama

Polygala polygama Walter

Racemed Milkwort, Pink Milkwort

Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family)

Synonym(s): Polygala aboriginum, Polygala polygama var. obtusata, Polygala polygama var. ramulosa

USDA Symbol: POPO

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Pink Milkwort grows 8-16+ inches tall in the sandy soil of East Texas, usually in woods. Leaves are alternate, about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide, attached directly to the stem. The erect stem has a slender cluster of pink flowers about 1/4 inch long, loosely arranged on the upper part. It also has complete flowers growing under ground or just above the surface that do not open (cleistogamous). They are white.

From the Image Gallery

11 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON , QC

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Sandy

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				UPL	FACU		FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX

Bibliography

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

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

Metadata

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

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