Senega alba, commonly called white milkwort,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae).

Senega alba
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Genus: Senega
Species:
S. alba
Binomial name
Senega alba
(Nutt.) J.F.B.Pastore & J.R.Abbott
Synonyms
List
  • Asemeia alba (Nutt.) Raf.
  • Polygala alba Nutt.
  • Asemeia leptopsis Raf.
  • Polygala beyrichii Torr. & A.Gray
  • Polygala hemipterocarpa var. bracteata Chodat
  • Polygala jamesii Raf.
  • Polygala scoparia Benth.
  • Polygala senega var. tenuifolia Pursh
  • Polygala torreyi G.Don

Distribution

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It is native to North America, where it is found in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.[2] In the United States, its range is concentrated in the Great Plains and the Southwest.[3] Its natural habitat is in rocky or sandy dry prairies.[4]

Description

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It is an erect perennial, reaching 45 cm (18 in) tall.[5] It produces small white flowers, distributed in an elongated raceme. It flowers in late spring and early summer.

References

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  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Polygala alba​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  2. ^ Polygala alba Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Societey
  3. ^ "Polygala alba". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  4. ^ White Milkwort Polyagala alba Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses
  5. ^ Diggs, George; Lipscomb, Barney; O'Kennon, Robert (1999). Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. p. 896.