North Carolina Wildflowers, Shrubs, & Trees

Polygalaceae > Polygala (Milkworts)

Uncommon in NC in the mountains.

Common in the NC coastal plain (rare in the piedmont) in various moist/wet soils habitats (ditches, savannahs, etc.).

Fairly common in wet pine savannas and other wet habitats in the NC coastal plain.

Rare in NC, Hooker's Milkwort grows in a few pine savannas.

Note whorled leaves.

Another rare milkwort of the NC coastal plain pine savannas.

Upper stem leaves may be alternate, but leaves of the principal nodes are whorled (see below).

Here's a different Littleleaf Milkwort population from the one above. Note short persistent bracts and a fairly long peduncle.

Wings (lateral petaloid sepals) are acute-short mucronate.

Leaves of the main nodes are whorled.

Statewide and common in NC, Curtiss' Milkwort grows in old fields and other similar habitats. Note the persistent bracts on the inflorescence.

Statewide in NC and uncommon except in the mountains where a bit more common. Occurs in a variety of mostly moist habitats.

Fairly common in the eastern half of NC, Pink Milkwort grows in a variety of habitats.

Stems and leaves are somewhat glaucous.

Fairly common in the NC coastal plain in wet savannas and other open habitats.