Class XV II. Order ILL 



DIADBLPHIA. 



OCTANDRIA. 



206. POLYGALA. 



POLYGALA SANGUINEA. Zr. CttduCOUS 



Stem branching at top ; leaves alternate, line- 

 ar ; spikes headed ; flowers beardless. Mich. abr. 



The purple, or rose coloured heads of this plant are very ob- 

 servable in moist ground, during the months of August and 

 September. Stem erect, angular, its branches exceeding the 

 main stem in height. Leaves alternate, smooth, linear-lanceo- 

 late. Flowers in terminal, cylindrical heads. As these heads 

 increase at their summit, the lower flowers fall off, leaving a 

 ragged or squarrous peduncle, on which Linnaeus founded his 

 specific character. 



POLYGALA PAUCIFOLIA. MuhL Few leaved Polygala. 



Flowers crested, terminal, three ; stem simple, 

 erect ; naked below ; leaves ovate. Willd. 



An exceedingly delicate, purple flowering plant. Stem up- 

 right or ascending, four or five inches high, smooth. The low- 

 er part is naked, with the exception of some small, remote, ovai 

 scales or leafets. The leaves are four or five in number, at the 

 top of the stem, ovate, acute, entire. Flowers usually two or 

 three at the end of the stem, crested. Found at Brooklyn, 

 May. Perennial 



