Polygala verticillata

Herbs annual, single-stemmed, 0.5–3(–4) dm, usually branched distally; from slender taproot. Stems erect, sometimes slightly glaucous, glabrous. Leaves usually whorled proximally, sometimes whorled to inflorescence, opposite to alternate distally, rarely alternate throughout; sessile or subsessile, petiole rarely to 1 mm; blade sometimes linear-spatulate proximally, usually linear, linear-oblong, -elliptic, or -lanceolate distally, (5–)10–20(–30) × 0.5–5.5 mm, base cuneate to acute, apex acute to acuminate, surfaces glabrous. Racemes nearly spikelike, conic to cylindric-conic, 0.5–5 × 0.2–0.6 cm, sometimes interrupted proximally, with some proximal fruits persistent below gap; peduncle to 9 cm (usually elongate); bracts deciduous, subulate to lanceolate. Pedicels 0.2–1(–2) mm, glabrous. Flowers white or with greenish or pinkish tinge, sepals sometimes purplish or whitish, 1–2.2(–2.6) mm; sepals ovate or elliptic to lanceolate, 0.5–1.6 mm, ciliate; wings suborbiculate, ovate, elliptic, or obovate, 1–2.6 × 0.8–2.5 mm, apex obtuse to bluntly rounded; keel 1.2–1.8 mm, crest 2-parted, with 1 or 2 lobes on each side. Capsules subglobose or broadly ellipsoid to ovoid, 1.3–2.4 × 0.7–2.2 mm, margins not winged. Seeds 1.2–2.2 mm, pubescent; aril 0.5–1 mm, lobes 1/3–1/2 length of seed. 2n = 34.

Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Meadows, prairies, open woodlands, sand dunes, old fields, open places (limestone glades, railroad rights-of-way, rock quarries).
Elevation: 0–2100 m.

Man., N.B., Ont., Que., Sask., Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis., Wyo.

Discussion

Varieties of Polygala verticillata have been recognized; they co-occur and intergrade, suggesting that they are polymorphisms not worthy of taxonomic recognition.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa