Species: Polygala verticillata var. isocycla Fern.

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Polygala verticillata var. isocycla Fern.

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TAXONOMY

Family:

Polygalaceae

Genus:

Polygala

Species Synonyms:

Polygala verticillata var. sphenostachya Pennell

Common Names:

whorled milkwort

DISTRIBUTION

Canada:

southeastern Saskatchewan – southwestern Manitoba

Saskatchewan:

southeastern Saskatchewan; Estevan

Ecoregion:

Mixed Grassland, Moist Mixed Grassland

HABITAT

Saskatchewan:

dry grassland slopes and valley bottom flats

Associated Species:

Antennaria microphylla, Asclepias verticillata, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Plantago patagonica, Ratibida columnifera

RARITY STATUS

Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):

Endangered

Nature Conservancy Status:

G5T5 S1

Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:

None

COSEWIC Status:

None

Polygala verticillata var. isocycla is endangered in Saskatchewan because it is extremely rare. This species is restricted to a small area of the province and is locally sparse. Immediate threats have been identified for this species.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION

Height:

10 – 40 cm

Stems:

erect, usually branched, slender

Leaves:

at least the lower ones in whorls of 2 – 5, 1 – 2 cm long, linear to oblong,

Inflorescence:

raceme 5 – 15 mm long, lower pedicels opposite or whorled

Flowers:

zygomorphic; sepals 5, 2 large, coloured and petaloid; petals 3, 2 – 3 mm long, connate, keel fringed, whitish to pinkish; 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