Polygala boykinii

Herbs short-lived perennial, usually multi-stemmed, (1.5–)2–6 dm, infrequently branched distally; caudex thickened. Stems usually erect or decumbent, rarely prostrate, glabrous. Leaves whorled, at least proximally, to alternate distally; sessile or subsessile, rarely with narrowed petiolelike base to 1 mm; blade linear, elliptic, lanceolate, or obovate, 3–25 × 1–5 mm, base cuneate, margins sometimes erose, appearing toothed, apex often acute, sometimes obtuse or rounded proximally, surfaces glabrous. Racemes narrowly cylindric, 3–12(–15) × 0.4–0.8 cm; peduncle to 9 cm (elongate); bracts deciduous, lanceolate-ovate. Pedicels to 0.5 mm (to 1 mm in fruit), glabrous. Flowers white or greenish white, 2.5–3.2 mm; sepals ovate to elliptic, 1–1.3 mm; wings suborbiculate, broadly elliptic, or obovate, 2–3 × 1.5–2.5 mm, apex obtuse to bluntly rounded; keel 2–3 mm, crest 2-parted, with 2–4 lobes on each side. Capsules subglobose to broadly ellipsoid, 1.7–4 × (1.2–)2–3 mm, margins not winged. Seeds 1–2.5 mm, pubescent; aril 0.5–1.5 mm, lobes 1/3–2/3 length of seed. 2n = ca. 28, 96.

Phenology: Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat: Open slopes, prairielike sites, cut-over oak-pine forests, limestone outcrops, flatwoods.
Elevation: 0–200 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., Tenn., West Indies.

Discussion

Polygala boykinii is highly variable, with numerous distinctive forms in southern Florida and the Caribbean, some of which may merit specific recognition.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.