Flower:

Flowers arise in dense cylindrical spikes that elongate throughout the growing season. Individual flowers appear nearly rectangular in shape from two sharply pointed, triangular, bract-like sepals that flank two sides of the tiny central flower column; these are stacked upon one another as new flowers are added on top. Color can be from white/greenish-white to hot pink and the spike can be an inch wide and several inches tall. A plant usually has multiple clusters at the end of branching stems.

Leaves and stem:

The toothless, hairless leaves are broadly elongated, bluntly narrowing to a tiny point, up to 1½ inches long and typically set in whorls of four directly below flower clusters - appearing to be a cross. Stems are square or slightly winged, hairless, stiff and profusely branched, often being held erect by adjoining grasses, sedges and other forbs as the growing season progresses.

Fruit:

Fruit is an oblong 2-seeded capsule.

Notes:

Minnesota populations of Cross-leaved Milkwort are primarily restricted to sedge meadows of the Anoka Sandplain. It is a tiny thing, often hidden by the surrounding grass-like plants and easy to step on if you aren't paying attention. According to the DNR, it was listed as an Endangered Species in 1984 due to loss of habitat to development and encroaching non-native invasive species threatening the dwindling populations that remain.