Question: I've keyed this plant observed today in Cheshire, Connecticut to either Polygala sanguinea or P. nuttallii (state threatened) and the …
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Question
I've keyed this plant observed today in Cheshire, Connecticut to either Polygala sanguinea or P. nuttallii (state threatened) and the key I'm using (Magee and Ahles) has the difference between them down to the calyx wings being either 3 mm or greater and exceeding the corolla (sanguinea), or 2.7 mm or less and equaling the corolla (nuttallii). I'm not exactly sure where to measure the wings from (is it the length of an individual sepal?). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Answer
Dear mantill, good afternoon. The wing sepals are quite long on the plant you photographed (much longer than the corolla). Further, the racemes are quite thick (nearly 10 mm thick). This suggests the plant is Polygala sanguinea. Best wishes.
