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Viola striata Viola striata

Polygala lutea

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Pilostaxis lutea
  • Senega lutea
Phonetic Spelling
pol-ee-GAH-luh LOO-tee-uh
Description

This variety of the wildflower milkwort is commonly found growing in wet sandy soil and bogs as well as moist pine or hardwood forests and roadside ditches.  It is native to the coastal plains, Long Island south to Florida and west to Louisiana. 

When dried, the flowers turn yellow.  Differing from other varieties of milkwort, this plant has brilliant orange flowers.  

In North Carolina, it is commonly found along the coast, rare in the Piedmont.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#biennial#fall interest#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#spring interest#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#herbaceous annual#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#wildflower#herb garden
 
Polygala lutea
Polygala lutea Gail Hampshire CC BY 2.0
Polygala lutea
Polygala lutea Judy Gallagher CC BY 2.0
Polygala lutea
Flower Bob Peterson CC BY 2.0
Polygala lutea
Flower with stems Harold S. Snyder CC-BY-SA 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#biennial#fall interest#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#spring interest#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#herbaceous annual#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#wildflower#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polygala
    Species:
    lutea
    Family:
    Polygalaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    New York and Alabama
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from June to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Compact, head-like clusters. 3 small sepals, frequently one of these slightly larger than the others. 2 larger petalois sepals. Flowers bloom from April to October.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Oblong
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    .75 - 1.5" leaves, erect to ascending stems. The leaves are almost succulent to the touch.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    4-6" stems. May be branched in the upper half.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden