Senega mariana (P. Mill.) J.F.B. Pastore & J.R. Abbott

Locations ofSenega mariana (P. Mill.) J.F.B. Pastore & J.R. Abbott in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Polygalaceae
Botanical Name
Senega mariana (P. Mill.) J.F.B. Pastore & J.R. Abbott
Common Name
Maryland Milkwort
Synonym(s)
Polygala mariana P. Mill.
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Polygala mariana P. Mill.
Comments
Recent studies by Pastore et al. (2019, Taxon 68: 673-691) demonstrated that the New World members and Old World members of the large and non-monophyletic genus Polygala (sensu lato) are phylogenetically, morphologically, and geographically separated into two clades and cannot be considered congeneric. Since the type species of the genus is in the Old World group, the New World species (including all from Virginia) were re-assigned to the genus Senega Spach 1838 (Pastore et al., 2023, Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 108: 126-249).

Flowers of this species are typically pink but vary to greenish white (see photos).
Habitat
Bogs, wet flatwoods, and moist to wet clearings. Frequent in the Coastal Plain; infrequent in the outer Piedmont.
Native Status
Native

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