Fringed Polygala
Polygaloides paucifolia |
 Other common names:
Bird-on-the-Wing, Flowering Wintergreen, Fringed Milkwort, Gay Wings, Gaywings
Other scientific names:
Polygala uniflora
French names:
Polygala paucifolié
Family:
Milkwort Family (Polygalaceae)
Distinctive features:
Low plant, resembles Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). Small orchid-like blue-purple flowers. Forests.
Similar species:
•
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) - Leaves are very similar but smell like wintergreen.
Flowers:
Spring, Summer; White, Blue/Violet; Irregular flowers; Spring - early summer. Orchid-like. Blue-purple, rarely white.
Leaves:
Alternate, crowded near the top of the short stem.
Height:
7-12 cm (3-5 in)
Habitat:
Forests; Dry to moist forests.
Books:
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 40
Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 214, 244
ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 336
Native/Non-native:
Native
Status:
Common. White-flowered forms are rare.
Notes:
Be careful not to mistake this for Wintergreen, as its leaves are edible and those of Fringed Polygala are most likely not.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: paucifolia: few-leaved
Photographs:
263 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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