MILKWORT FAMILY 
( Polygalacece) 
(A) Fringed Polygala (Polygala paucifolia) is a 
dainty and low perennial, usually rising but four or 
five inches from the ground; the stem bends sharply 
as it enters the soil and continues into a long, slender 
rootstalk often a foot in length. Either one or two 
flowers are at the summit of the stem; they are quite 
large, being nearly an inch in length; the two lateral 
sepals are large and wing-shaped; the three petals are 
joined together to form a tube, through which the 
yellow stamens and pistil protrude. Polygala is com¬ 
mon in damp, rich woods from N. S. to Manitoba and 
^southwards to the Gulf, flowering during May and 
June. 
(B) Milkwort (Polygala polygama) is a slender- 
j^tepimed species from five to fifteen inches high; the 
stem is closely crowded, alternately, with narrow, oval, 
pointed, stemless leaves. The dull crimson flowers are 
borne in long, slender racemes at the top of the stem. 
It is quite common everywhere in dry sandy soil. 
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