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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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image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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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