Polygala nana
dwarf milkwort, candy root, candyroot, bachelor's buttons, bachelor's button
Family
Polygalaceae
Leaf Arrangement
basal (rosulate)
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
elliptic, obovate, spatulate
Growth Form
forb
Flower Color
yellow
Flower Month
March - October
Height (meters)
0.0 - 0.2
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
annual, biennial
Growing Season
Cool season
Wetland Class
FACW
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
6
Field Characters
Identification tip: Polygala nana is sometimes confused with the more eastern P. lutea. Polygala nana may be distinguished by the cusp of its largest sepals that are less than 1 mm long and the sepals which are orange rather than yellow.
Natural History
Found on seepage slopes, and in savannas, prairie, and low open pinelands of Louisiana and southeastern Texas.
Habitat
Open wet sand, on seepage slopes, savannas, wet meadows, and wet pinelands.