Short-leaved Milkwort

(Polygala brevifolia)

Short-leaved Milkwort (Polygala brevifolia  Nutt.)

Identification: Flowers pink, small, with 3 petals including 2 lateral, triangular ones. Flowers arranged in a terminal, closely packed head. Flower clusters 7 to 12 mm. thick. Leaves in pairs near the top of the stem, in irregular, one-sided whorls of 3 to 5 lower down. Plant 3 to 12 inches in height.

Distribution: New Jersey southward along the coastal plain to Florida and along the Gulf Coast to Mississippi.

Habitat: Short-leaved Milkwort is found in sandy swamps and sandy bogs.

Flowering period: July to September.

Similar Species: Short-leaved Milkwort is similar to Cross-leaved Milkwort. Cross-leaved Milkwort usually has larger, more tightly packed flower heads. The flower heads of Cross-leaved Milkwort have short flower stalks and often appear to be nearly sessile to the first pair of leaves. Other characters separating the two species are more technical.