Polygala verticillata L.

Erect, divergently branched annual, 1–4 dm; lvs linear to linear-oblong, 1–2(–3) cm × 1–3 mm, at least the lower (sometimes all) in whorls of 2–5; lower branches of the infl usually opposite or whorled; peduncle elongate; racemes continuous, conic or cylindric-conic, the floriferous and fructiferous part 6–15 mm, appearing truncate at base, the whole axis to 4 cm; fls white, greenish, or occasionally pinkish, the lower dropping promptly as the fr matures; wings half to two-thirds as long as the fr; 2n=34. Moist, sandy soil, grasslands, and woods. July–Oct. Var. isocycla Fernald, occurring nearly throughout the range of the sp. (Vt. to Man., s. to Fla. and Tex.) has finely pubescent seeds, short pedicels a fourth to a third as long as the fr, greenish-white sep, narrow, dense racemes on peduncles 0.5–4 cm, the plant with widely spreading branches. Var. verticillata, occurring from Me. to Mich., s. to Tenn., has hirsute seeds, pedicels a third to half as long as the fr, often purplish sep, wider, looser racemes on peduncles 2–7 cm, and the branches are ascending.