Fringed Polygala

Did you know

• The orchid-like flowers are among the most beautiful of any native woodland wildflower in eastern North America.
• Also called gaywings, the flower has two wing-like lateral sepals and a fringed lower keel petal.
• The plant also produces hidden cleistogamous (self-pollinating) flowers underground that produce most of the seeds.
• Fringed polygala is not a true milkwort despite being in the milkwort family; the name Polygala means 'much milk.'
• It grows as a tiny semi-evergreen ground cover in acidic forest soils, often alongside partridgeberry and wintergreen.

Color meanings

Uses

• Woodland garden
• Native plant garden
• Shade garden
• Conservation