Herbs annual, single-stemmed, 1–4 dm, usually branched distally; from taproot, some­times becoming fibrous root cluster. Stems erect, glabrous. Leaves alternate; sessile or subsessile; blade linear to linear-oblong or narrowly oblan­ceolate, 10–20 × 1–2 mm, base cuneate, apex acute, surfaces glabrous. Racemes capitate, 1–2 × 0.8–1.3 cm; peduncle to 5 cm (elongate); bracts persistent, lanceolate. Pedicels 1.3–2.8 mm, glabrous. Flowers usually pink or purple, rarely white, 3.2–5 mm; sepals ovate, 1.5–2 mm; wings elliptic to ovate-elliptic, 3–5 × 1–2 mm, apex acute, obtuse, or bluntly rounded; keel 2.5–2.7 mm, crest 2-lobed, with 2–4 lobes on each side. Capsules subglobose, (1.7–)2.5–3 × 2.5–3 mm, margins not winged. Seeds 1–1.5 mm, pubescent; aril 1–1.2 mm, lobes to 1/3 length of seed. 2n = 40.

Phenology: Flowering summer–fall.
Habitat: Dry, sandy meadows, old fields, open woods.
Elevation: 0–1300 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ala., Del., D.C., Ga., Ky., Md., Miss., N.J., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.

Discussion

Polygala curtissii is common in the southeastern United States, but rare in the northern part of its range in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.