WILDFLOWER HOME PAGE SEARCH BY PLANT NAME PINK/RED/ORANGE FLOWERS CONTACT US
|
|
| Polygala
subspinosa (Milkwort) Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family) Semi-desert.
Rocky, sandy slopes. Spring. |
|
Polygala
subspinosa (Milkwort) Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family) Semi-desert.
Rocky, sandy slopes. Spring. Polygala subspinosa is rare in a few western counties of Colorado and occurs in only one northwestern county of New Mexico; it is more common and widespread in Utah, and it is found across the northern tier of Arizona counties. (See the map below.) Polygala subspinosa typically grows about five inches tall and wide in an open, rounded form but can be up to ten inches tall and wide. Woody stems persist and become spiny. Bright green leaves grow quickly in early spring. Polygala subspinosa grows at elevations from about 4,000 to 7,000 feet in dry, open areas. In 1753 Linnaeus named the genus Polygala, Greek for "much milk", but the name was applied to some now unknown plant reputed to increase milk production in cattle. Polygala subspinosa was named by Sereno Watson in 1873 from a specimen collected by an unknown botanist in 1862. "Subspinosa" means "almost spiny". |
|
|
Polygala
subspinosa (Milkwort) Polygalaceae (Milkwort Family) Semi-desert.
Rocky, sandy slopes. Spring. Flowers have characteristics that remind one of plants in Fabaceae (Pea Family) and Fumariaceae (Fumitory Family). Whatever they remind us of, they are certainly beautifully exotic. Weber says, "An amazing flower indeed" and Welsh says, "The brightly colored flowers, sometimes produced profusely in this clump-forming plant, are truly attractive. It should be considered for horticultural use". |
Range map © John Kartesz,
County Color Key
|
Range map for Polygala subspinosa |