Polygala paucifolia Willd.
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TAXONOMY
 
Family: Polygalaceae
Genus: Polygala
 
Species Synonyms: Triclisperma paucifolia (Willd.) Nieuwl.
Common Names: fringed milkwort
gaywings
bird-on-the-wing
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
Canada: east-central Alberta – central Saskatchewan – Manitoba –Ontario – Quebec – New Brunswick
Saskatchewan: central Saskatchewan; Meadow Lake – Nipawin
Ecoregion: Boreal Transition, Mid-Boreal Upland, Mid-Boreal Lowland
 
HABITAT
 
Saskatchewan: moist open woods and fens
Associated Species: Carex capillaris, Fragaria virginiana, Picea mariana, Salix sp., Trichophorum caespitosum
 
RARITY STATUS
 
Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):
Vulnerable
Nature Conservancy Status:
G5 S2
Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:
None
COSEWIC Status:
None
 
Polygala pauciflora is vulnerable in Saskatchewan even though it is quite common in the central part of the province. No threats are known or anticipated for this species at the present time.
 
SPECIES DESCRIPTION
 
Height: 5 – 20 cm
Stems: erect, usually branched
Leaves: alternate, small leaves near the base, larger up the stem, upper leaves ovate, 1 – 3 cm long
Inflorescence: flowers 3 or 4
Flowers: zygomorphic; sepals 5, 2 large, coloured and petaloid; petals 3, 1 – 2 cm long, connate, keel fringed, rose purple or pink; stamens 8, filaments connate into a split sheath; ovary superior
Fruits: capsule
 
POLYGALA KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN
 
1 Flowers 1.5 cm or longer, rose-purple; inflorescence few-flowered; calyx deciduous; upper leaves ovate
P. paucifolia
1 Flowers smaller, pinkish to white; inflorescence many-flowered; calyx persistent; upper leaves narrower
2
   
2 At least lower leaves in whorls of three or more; flowers whitish to pinkish
P. verticillata var. isocycla
2 All leaves alternate; flowers white
3
 
3 Leaves lanceolate to ovate, to 7 cm long; sepal wings to 3 mm broad
P. senega var. senega
3 Leaves linear, to 2.5 cm long; sepal wings to 1.5 mm broad
P. alba