Senega sanguinea (L.) J.F.B. Pastore & J.R. Abbott

Locations ofSenega sanguinea (L.) J.F.B. Pastore & J.R. Abbott in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Polygalaceae
Botanical Name
Senega sanguinea (L.) J.F.B. Pastore & J.R. Abbott
Common Name
Field Milkwort, Purple Milkwort
Synonym(s)
Polygala sanguinea L.
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Polygala sanguinea L.
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).

This species exhibits considerable variation in flower color, from whitish to purple.
Habitat
Bogs, fens, seeps on mafic outcrops, moist to dry clearings, fields, and roadsides. Frequent in the mountains and Piedmont; infrequent in the Coastal Plain.
Native Status
Native

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