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| Polygala alba Nutt. | Species Image Gallery (opens in a new window) |
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| TAXONOMY | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Family: | Polygalaceae | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Genus: | Polygala | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Species Synonyms: | Polygala alba var. suspecta S. Wats. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Names: | white milkwort | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DISTRIBUTION | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada: | south-central – southeastern Saskatchewan | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Saskatchewan: | southern Saskatchewan; Rockglen – southern Missouri Coteau – Souris River Valley | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ecoregion: | Mixed Grassland, Moist Mixed Grassland | ||||||||||||||||||||
| HABITAT | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Saskatchewan: | eroded or stony grassland slopes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Associated Species: | blue grama grass, creeping juniper, echinacea, june grass, prairie rocket, saskatoonberry, smooth fleabane, white penstemon | ||||||||||||||||||||
| RARITY STATUS | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Provincial
Status According to Harms (2003): |
Vulnerable |
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| Nature Conservancy Status: | G5 S2 |
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| Saskatchewan
Species at Risk Status: |
None |
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| COSEWIC Status: | None |
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| White milkwort is vulnerable in Saskatchewan even though it is quite common in the southeastern part of the province. Most local populations are small and possible threats have been identified for this species. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| SPECIES DESCRIPTION | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height: | 15 – 40 cm | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stems: | erect, several from a common base | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Leaves: | alternate, 5 – 25 mm long, linear, margin entire; stipules absent | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Inflorescence: | unbranched, terminal, spike-like, 2 – 5 cm long, white or greenish | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Flowers: | irregular; sepals 5, 2 large, coloured and petal-like; petals 3, fused, ridge on centre petal with a fringed crest; stamens 8, filaments fused into a split sheath; ovary superior | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fruits: | capsule | ||||||||||||||||||||
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