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Purple and Blue Wildflower Gallery

Bilateral Symmetry - Miscellaneous

Polygalaceae - Milkwort family

Rock Milkwort Polygala lindheimeri var. parviflora (P. tweedy)

Flower about 3/16" across. Petals (actually sepals) in my specimens are pale pink to lavender with a splash of purple; the top (darker) one is edged with fine hairs like eyelashes.; Keel is partly yellow and has a beak. Stem zigzags at the nodes of spent flowers. Stems spread out from central stem, about 6" wide; books say they can be erect. Upper leaves are very narrow. Lower leaves wider. Leaves and stems have tiny incurved hairs. Fruit is an narrow capsule about 3/16" long.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, July 2004, May 2006

(Native of Texas)

Similar Species

Purple Milkwort (Shrubby Milkwort) Polygala lindheimeri var. lindheimeri (P. texensis)

Very similar to the parviflora variation. This plant is more upright with the wide lower leaves growing higher on the stem so are much more dominant. The stems and leaves are hairy, which are straight and easily seen with the naked eye.

(Native of Texas)

Violaceae - Violet & Pansy family

Carolina Violet Viola villosa

Upper flower petals are mostly purple (no photo).  Lower and side petals are white with purple veins, solid purple tips and very hairy towards the center.  Leaves and stems are quite fuzzy.  Bracts on the peduncle are red and clasp the stem tightly.

Photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006

(Native of Texas)

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