Polygala sanguinea (Blood Milkwort)
Also known as: | Purple Milkwort, Field Milkwort |
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Genus: | Polygala |
Family: | Polygalaceae (Milkwort) |
Life cycle: | annual |
Origin: | native |
Habitat: | sun; moist; fields, bogs, fens |
Bloom season: | July - September |
Plant height: | 4 to 12 inches |
Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACW MW: FACU NCNE: FACU |
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): | ![]() |
National distribution (click map to enlarge): | ![]() |
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Detailed Information
Flower:
A cylindrical spike, ½ inch across elongating up to 1 inch long with maturity. Individual flowers have 2 outer petal-like sepals that are large, egg-shaped and wing-like, resembling fish scales from the outside. 3 small petals form a narrow tube in the center with 8 tiny yellow-tipped stamens. Flower color ranges from purple to rose pink, fading to greenish white with age. One plant usually has a few to many clusters at the end of branching stems.
Leaves and stem:
Leaves are up to 1½ inches long and very narrow, hairless and toothless, with pointed tips and little or no stalk. There is a prominent vein down the center. The stem is angular, hairless, unbrached or branching in the upper plant.
Fruit: 
Fruit is a small round capsule containing 2 hairy seeds.
Notes:
The flowers are similar to those of the related Cross-leaved Milkwort (Polygala cruciata), which is far less common though they may be growing side by side; it has leaves typically whorled in 4s and is shorter statured.
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More photos
Photos by K. Chayka taken in Blaine, Anoka County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2014-07-21 14:46:31
Saw this out in Belwin prairie near Afton. Unusual place for it given it's preferred habitat (Belwin is quite sandy), but there was evidence of standing water around.
on: 2015-07-21 22:57:00
There's a great display of this species right now at many places on the main rock outcrop area far along the trail from the southern entrance to Louisville Swamp in Scott County.
on: 2019-09-05 14:03:34
I have Photo if needed. Found doing survival check in tree planting. 9/4/19
on: 2021-10-09 15:03:21
I saw this plant in the fen area in Chester Woods Park, east of Rochester. Blooming 10-6-21. Other plants around it included strawberry, violets, and bottle gentian.