Copy permalink to share
Polygalaceae
Senega

Senega nana (Michaux) J.F.B. Pastore & J.R. Abbott. Common name: Dwarf Milkwort, Candyroot. Phenology: Dec-Jun (-Oct). Habitat: Longleaf pine flatwoods, other open (sometimes disturbed) moist areas. Distribution: E. GA south to s. FL, west to e. TX, with scattered populations inland to n. SC, w. NC, nw. GA, n. AL, c. TN (Chester, Wofford, & Kral 1997), and ne. MS.

Glossary (beta!)

Subgenus: Senega. Section: Decurrentes.

ID notes: The roots of this species have a candy-like smell.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy : = Pastore et al (2023); = Pilostaxis nana (Michx.) Raf. — S; = Polygala nana (Michx.) DC. — Ar, Fl3, FNA10, GW2, K4, RAB, S13, Tn, Tx, WH3, Smith & Ward (1976); = Pylostachya nana (Michx.) Raf.; Polygala lutea Linnaeus var. nana Michaux. Basionym: Polygala lutea L. var. nana Michx. 1803

Links to other floras: = Polygala nana - FNA10

Show in key(s)

Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)

Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW (name change)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC (name change)

Your browser does not support SVGs

Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.

image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Polygala nana, near Biggins Pond, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla County, Florida 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷

Feedback

See something missing or incorrect about Senega nana? Let us know here:

  1. Please include your name and if possible, email in case when need to clarify what you wrote.
  2. If you opt out of including email, please be as specific as possible (e.g., which photo is incorrect?)
  3. Please do not submit questions asking to identify plants or about horticultural topics (e.g., how do I control an invasive plant in my garden?). Instead, those questions can be submitted here for the Carolinas region only.
  4. Please do not send us feedback about unkeyed species as this work is ongoing.
  5. Please allow time for flora edits to show in our next data release. We greatly appreciate your feedback but may require extra time to research complicated taxonomic issues.

Horticultural Information

No horticultural data found for this taxon.