52 DIALYPETALOUS EXOGENS 



f ANNUAL: * Leaves all scattered; flowers purplish. 



1. P. sangllinea, L. Leaves oblong-linear; wings broadly 

 ovate, very obtuse ; caruncle nearly as long as the seed. 



P. purpurea. Nutt. $ Fl. Cestr. ed. 2. p. 401. (not of Ait. which is 

 P.paucifolia, Willd.}. 

 BLOODY POLYGALA. 



Stem 6 to 9 or 12 inches high, erect, angular, corymbosely branched above, often 

 simple. Leaves half an inch to an inch long, subsessile. Flowers more or less 

 purple, in oblong subcylindric heads, which are half an inch to near an inch in 

 length. 

 Hob. Low grounds, thickets, <fcc.: Fl. July. Fr. Aug. 



* * Lower leaves, at least, verticillate ; flowers greenish-white. 



2. P. cruciata, L. Branches opposite ; leaves nearly all verti- 

 cillate, linear-oblanceolate ; wings broadly deltoid-ovate, cuspidate. 

 CROSSED POLYGALA. 



Stem 4 to 8 inches high, with spreading branches. Leaves about an inch long. 

 Heads of flowers cylindrical or ovoid-oblong. 

 Hob. Moist low grounds ; New London : rare. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This was collected near Russellville, in 1848, by Mr. YIN- 

 CENT BARNARD. 



3. P. verticillata, L. Branches and stem-leaves verticillate ; 

 branch-leaves scattered, lance-linear ; spikes elongated ; wings or- 

 bicular, clawed. 



VERTICILLATE POLYGALA. 



Stem 3 to 6 or 8 inches high, diffusely and brachiately branched. Leaves one 

 third of an inch to an inch long, sessile. Spikes of flowers one-third to three 

 fourths of an inch long, on slender peduncles of about the same length. 

 Hob. Dry banks; borders of woods: frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Aug. 



4. P. ainbigna, Nutt. Branches alternate, erect, slender and 

 virgate ; leaves narrowly linear, the lowest verticillate, the rest 

 scattered ; spikes very slender ; wings oval. 



AMBIGUOUS POLYGALA. 



Stem 9 to 12 or 15 inches high, with numerous branches. Leaves 1-fourth of an 

 inch to an inch long. Spikes of flowers half an inch to an inch and half long, on 

 slender naked peduncles 1 to 2 inches in length. 

 Hob. Slaty hills, and sterile fields: frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Aug. 



f f PERENNIAL : * flowers white. 



5. P. Senega, L. Stems simple ; leaves alternate, lanceolate : 

 wings oval, or roundish-obovate. 



SENEKA SNAKE-ROOT. Mountain Flax. Milk-wort. 



Hoot thick, knotty and hard, with coarse branches. Stem 9 to 15 inches high, 

 rather limber, mostly several from the same root. Leaves 1 to 2 or 3 inches long, 

 narrowed at base to a short petiole. Spike of flowers 1 to 2 inches in length, some- 

 what nodding on &n&ke& peduncle about an inch long. Seeds large, pyriform, hairy. 

 Hob. Hilly woodlands : not uncommon. Fl. May. Fr. July. 



Obs. The root of this species is well known in the shops, for its 

 active medicinal properties. 



