Polygala alba
(White Milkwort)
Polygala alba, Along CR 207 north of Bertram, Burnet Co. 6129
Polygala alba, Pinnacles Trail, Big Bend National Park 1805
Polygala alba, Pace Bend Park, Travis Co. 7471
Polygala alba, Copper Breaks State Park, Hardeman Co. 0135
Polygala alba, Copper Breaks State Park, Hardeman Co. 0147
| Scientific Name | Polygala alba | USDA PLANTS Symbol | POAL4 |
| Common Name | White Milkwort | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 29323 |
| Family | Polygalaceae (Milkwort) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Sandy soils, rocky hillsides, wooded areas and fields; found in most of the state except East Texas. Plant: Erect, slender perennial 8 to 16 inches tall, multiple weak stems, simple or branched, often with a cluster of short, basal leafy branches. Leaves: A couple of basal whorls of a few small spatulate to obovate leaves; narrow linear stem leaves 1/3 to 1 inch long. Inflorescence: Crowded, tapering racemes up to 3-1/2 inches long with many small flowers, each ~1/4-inch long; 5 sepals, outer 3 small, greenish to purplish, the inner 2 much larger, white, looking like petals; 3 white petals, lowest often purple-tinged. Bloom Period: March to November. References: "Wildflowers of Texas" by Geyata Ajilvsgi, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024