Curtiss' Milkwort

(Polygala curtissii)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Curtiss' Milkwort (Polygala curtissii Gray)

Identification: Flowers lilac, relatively large for the genus, with 2 elongate lateral petals and a yellow tipped upper petal. Flowers arranged in a loose, apical cluster. Dropped flowers on stem below flower cluster leave a series of spines. Leaves elongate, narrow, alternate on the stem. Plant 6 to 10 inches in height.

Distribution: Ohio to Delaware and south to Florida and Louisiana.

Habitat: Curtiss' Milkwort is found on dry, poor soils.

Flowering period: June to October.

Similar Species: The open flower heads and alternate leaves are distinctive. Field Milwort has much more compact flower heads without individually distinct flowers.

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