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.