Von. Il.] MILKWORT FAMILY. 357 
4. Polygala cruciata L. Cross-leaved or Marsh Milkwort. (Fig. 2276.) 
Polygala cruciata \,. Sp. Pl. 706. 1753. 
Erect, glabrous, 4/-16’ high, at length freely 
branching above; stem square or slightly wing-an- 
gled. Basal leaves none; those of the stem and 
branches verticillate in 4’s, or a few of them scat- 
tered, linear or oblanceolate, 44’-1}4’ long, 1//-2’’ 
wide, entire,obtuse, mucronulate, the lower smaller; 
spike-like racemes oval, obtuse, 4’’-9’’ thick, ses- 
sile or short-peduncled; pedicels slender, 14’/-2’’ 
long; bracts persistent; flowers purple, greenish or 
white; wings triangular-ovate, sessile, somewhat 
cordate, acute, acuminate or awn-pointed, 1 4//-3// 
long, much exceeding the pods; crest of the corolla 
minute; seed oblong, slightly hairy, about equalling 
the caruncle. 
In sandy swamps, Maine to Florida, west to Minne- 
sota and Louisiana, but wanting in some districts in 
the interior, quite common along the coast. July—Sept. 
5. Polygala brevifolia Nutt. Short- 
leaved Milkwort. (Fig. 2277.) 
Polygala brevifolia Nutt. Gen. 2: 89. 1818. 
Resembling the preceding species, but lower, 
more slender and weaker. Jeaves shorter, often 
scattered on the branches and upper part of the 
stem; spikes smaller (3//-5’’ thick), on slender 
peduncles; wings ovate or ovate-lanceolate, obtuse 
or mucronulate. 
In sandy swamps, coast of Rhode Island to Florida 
and Alabama. Summer. 
Polygala verticillata I,. Sp. Pl. 706. 1753. 
Glabrous, very slender, 6/-12’ high, usually 
branched, the branches often opposite. Basal 
leaves none; stem-leaves linear, 3/’-15’’ long, 
\4//-2// wide; acute, entire, punctate, mucronu- 
late, mostly verticillate in 4’s or 5’s, with some 
scattered ones on the stem or branches; spikes 
conic, loug-peduncled, acute, 2/’ thick at the 
base, very dense, 4/’-10’’ long; flowers greenish 
or purplish; pedicels about %’’ long; wings 
broadly oval, distinctly clawed, shorter than the 
pod; crest of the corolla manifest; seed oblong, 
hairy, twice the length of the caruncle; bracts 
deciduous. 
In dry or moist soil, mostly in flelds, southern 
Quebec and Ontario to Minnesota, south to Florida 
and Mexico. Ascends to 2500 ft. in Virginia. 
June.-Nov. 
