372 POLYGALACEAE 
quite simple below, stem somewhat winged at the angles, or square. 
Leaves in whorls of 4, or a few scattered, linear obtuse at apex, 4 to 14 
in. long, quite narrow (1/12 to 1/6 in. wide). Clusters of flowers con- 
densed, oval, quite blunt above, on very short flower stalks,, the leaves 
extending around and above the cluster. Flowers purple, greenish or 
white. Wet grounds, our area. July-Sept. 
2. P. brevifolia, Nutt. (Fig. 8, pl. 86.) SHort-LEAvVED MILKwortT. 
Similar to No. 1; leaves in whorls of 4s but shorter; flower stem ex- 
tending considerably above leaves. Wet sandy places, Rhode Island, Mass., 
and southward. June-Sept. 
3. P. verticillata, L.* (Fig. 3, pl. 86.) WuHortep Mirxworr. Very 
slender, 4 to 10 in. high, with many branches. Leaves in whorls of 4, 
rarely more, narrow, sharp pointed, + to 1} in. long. Flowers in spindle- 
shaped clusters on long flower-stalks. Flowers greenish-purple. Com- 
mon in dry or moist fields. June-Nov. 
4. P. ambigua, Nutt. (Fig. 4, pl. 86.) Loosr-sprkep MILKwort. 
Resembles No. 3, but leaves, except the lower ones, which may be in one or 
two whorls, are scattered along the stem. Flower groups more extended, 
and slender, nearly cylindric. Dry soil, our area. June-Nov. 
5. P. lutea, L. (Fig. 10, pl. 86.) ORANceE Mirkwort. Erect, few 
branches except at top, leaves alternate, narrow spatulate; flowers in 
rounded heads, yellow. In southern part of our area. June-Oct. 
6. P. Nuttallii, T.G. (Fig. 5, pl. 86.) Nurravy’s Mirkwort. Stems 
very slender, 4 to 6 in. high. Simple below, branching above. Leaves 
scattered along the stem 4 to % in. long, very slender linear. Flowers in 
spindle-shaped heads, greenish-purple. Dry soil. Aug.-Sept. 
7. P. incarnata, L. (Fig. 9, pl. 86.) Pink Mizkwort. Erect, heads 
of flowers spindle-shaped or more or less interrupted and cylindric. Leaves 
narrow linear situated at long distances from each other. Dry soils, 
southern part of our area. June-Oct. 
8. P. polygama, Walt. (Vig. 6, pl. 86.) Brrrer Potyaara. Erect, 
not branching, leafy, several stems from the same root, 4 to 20 in. high. 
Leaves seattered, lance-shaped or linear, obtuse at end. Flowers in an 
elongated spike (1 to 3 in.), rather loosely clustered, purple to light rose 
or even white, with a tinge of rose, showy. Dry soil. June-July. 
9 P. sanguinea, L. (Fig. 7, pl. 86.) Purere Mirxwort. (P. 
viridescens, L.). Erect, branching aboye, 6 to 15 in. high. Leaves linear, 
alternate, ? to 1} in. long. Heads of flowers rounded, blunt at top, red to 
purplish-white. Moist meadows, wet grounds. July-Oct. 
10. P. mariana, Mill. Mary“tanp Mirkwort. Resembles P. san- 
guinea. The two little bracts at the base of each short flower stem in the 
cluster of flowers are, in P. sanguinea persistent. In the present species 
these bracts fall early. Flowers rose-purple. Southern New Jersey and 
southward. July-Sept. 
ll. P. senega, L. (Fig. 1, pl. 86.) Seneca SNAKEROooT. Erect, 
smooth, scarcely branching, leafy 8 to 14 in. high. Leaves alternate, lance- 
shaped tapering at each end, apex sharp. Flowers in rather close spike, 
white. Rocky woods. May-June. 
12. P. paucifolia, Willd. (lig. 2, pl. 86.) FrinaEp POLYGALA, 
