Polygaloides paucifolia (Willdenow) J.R. Abbott. Common name: Gaywings, Fringed Polygala, Flowering Wintergreen, Bird-on-the-wing. Phenology: Apr-Jun; Jun-Sep. Habitat: Moist to dry forests, southwards mostly at moderate to high elevations. Distribution: NB and QC west to SK, south to CT, NY, WI, and in the Appalachians south to w. NC, nw. SC, n. GA, and e. TN.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA10, K4, NY, Tn, Abbott (2011); = Polygala paucifolia Willd. — C, F, G, Il, Mi, NE, Pa, RAB, S13, Tat, W, WV; = Triclisperma paucifolia (Willd.) Nieuwl. — S. Basionym: Polygala paucifolia Willd. 1802
Links to other floras: = Polygaloides paucifolia - FNA10
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
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© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Low-growing, rhizomatous and colonial perennial found in moist to dry forests, mostly at moderate to high elevations.
Stems: Stems smooth, spreading by rhizomes.
Leaves: Leaves clustered at top of stem, oval, to 1 1/2 in. long, with hairy margins and mid-vein.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers 1-4 from leaf axils at top of stem; dark pink (occasionally purple or white); 3/4-1 1/2 in. wide; bilaterally symmetric, consisting of 2 pink, wide spreading, oblong-oval "wings" (sepals) and a pink and white floral tube (3 joined petals) ending in a conspicuous pink or white fringe.
Fruits: Fruit a rounded, notched capsule.
Comments:
Height: 2-6 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Low-growing, rhizomatous and colonial perennial found in moist to dry forests, mostly at moderate to high elevations.
stems: Stems smooth, spreading by rhizomes.
leaves: Leaves clustered at top of stem, oval, to 1 1/2 in. long, with hairy margins and mid-vein.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers 1-4 from leaf axils at top of stem; dark pink (occasionally purple or white); 3/4-1 1/2 in. wide; bilaterally symmetric, consisting of 2 pink, wide spreading, oblong-oval "wings" (sepals) and a pink and white floral tube (3 joined petals) ending in a conspicuous pink or white fringe.
fruits: Fruit a rounded, notched capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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