Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Polygala ramosa
Polygala ramosa Elliott
Low Pinebarren Milkwort, Yellow Savanna Milkwort
Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family)
Synonym(s): Polygala balduinii var. chlorgena, Pylostachya ramosa
USDA Symbol: PORA2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Yellow Savanna Milkwort grows 6-20 inches tall, with leaves 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. Flower clusters are numerous on short branches near the end of the stem, giving the plant a flat top of bright yellow. Flowers are less than 1/8 inch long. Roots exude a spicy fragrance.
Other species of milkwort with flat-topped clusters include Tall Milkwort (P. cymosa), a larger plant to 4' (1.2 m) tall with yellow flowers and narrow, mostly basal leaves, and Baldwin's Milkwort (P. balduinii), also known as White Bachelor's Button, with white flowers; both species are found in the southeastern United States.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Grows 6-20 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , SC , TX , VANative Distribution: Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas.
Native Habitat: Marshes, pine-barren swamps, and low ground.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | FACW | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Polygala ramosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Polygala ramosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polygala ramosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-01Research By: TWC Staff