Flower ID: IMG_3951.JPG-06-16-2020 Flower name (scientific): Polygala polygama Walter PY: 1788. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) pol-ee-GAH-luh (or pol-IG-a-la) pol-ee-GAM-ah Flower name (common): Racemed Milkwort Family name (common): Milkwort Family name (scientific): Polygalaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek polys for many or much and gala for milk, referencing the assumption that cattle fed on this species gave incresed milk yields. Specific epithet: Having male, female, or hermaphrodite (bisexual) flowers. Common name origin: Racemed refers to a type of inflorescence with pedicillate flowers. Milkwort a compounding of milk + wort. It was previously assumed that lactation in nursing mothers would be improved by consumption of milkwort plants. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1.0 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: pink or red Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 3 cm long and 6 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, narrowly oblong or narrowly oblong-oblanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Biennial Habitat: Prairies, sandy fields, woodland openings, sun or part shade, dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Polygala paucifolia (Gaywings, Fringed Polygala) has a resemblance, but its flowers are about twice the size of those of Polygala polygama. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes fromWisconsin. The Montagnais used the plant to prepare a cough medicine (Moerman, p. 421, 1998). Latitude: 44.796063 Longitude: -91.513650 Altitude: 279.70 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe, Oconto, Pepin, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (NS, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU