Question: Reading through your recent answered questions, I believe you've already had someone ask about this plant. Do my photos offer …
-
Question
Reading through your recent answered questions, I believe you've already had someone ask about this plant. Do my photos offer any additional clues to help with identification? At first glance, I thought of Gaultheria procumbens, but the leaves are thin, not leathery, and are deeply purple on the underside (not sure if this is simply a reaction to cold temps or if they remain purple in the green season). Photos taken in a mixed forest in Hollis, ME on 11 March 2016.
Answer
Dear Fecteau23, your plants are Polygaloides paucifolia (fringed-milkwort; synonym: Polygala paucifolia). This species has the general habit and leaf blade outline of Gaultheria procumbens, but lacks the wintergreen odor/taste and lacks the obscure, cilia-tipped teeth of that species. If you follow this population into the spring, you will see the flowers are quite different. Thank you for posting. Best wishes.
