Polygala boykinii Nutt.

Boykin's Milkwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Boykin’s Milkwort is a native herbaceous short-lived perennial in the Milkwort family (Polygalaceae). It occurs statewide in Alabama. Boykin’s Milkwort occurs on prairies, on cedar glades, on roadsides, in forest openings, and on limestone outcrops. It is a multi-stemmed perennial from a taproot. Stems are ascending to erect, 1-2 feet in height, usually unbranched, glabrous, and green in color. Leaves are whorled, sessile, linear to lanceolate or elliptic in outline, glabrous, and with entire or erose margins. Flowers are produced in terminal cylindric racemes. Flowers are white in color and have five sepals and three petals. Two of the sepals are larger, spreading and petal-like (wings). The three petals are fused. The lower petal is the keel and is fringed with finger-like projections at the apex. The fruit is a capsule. In addition to Alabama, Boykin's Milkwort occurs in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It is considered rare to uncommon in most areas but can be abundant in certain habitats such as prairies and glades. Boykin's Milkwort is an interesting addition to the wildflower garden. It is not often found for sale but can be grown from seed. Mature seed should be collected in the autumn and stored in the refrigerator until they are planted in the spring. It is best to plant them directly in the garden as they do not transplant well.—A. Diamond.

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Native FACW (NWPL) S3S4 (State Rank) G3G4 (Global Rank)

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