Coefficient of Conservatism:
Coefficient of Wetness:
FRINGED POLYGALA, GAY-WINGS, FLOWERING-WINTERGREEN
R. W. Smith
In all sorts of mixed and coniferous forests, except the wettest and the driest, most often with fir, cedar, birch, aspen, hemlock, and pines; on old shoreline ridges of calcareous rubble and sandy beach meadows, usually ± shaded.
The flowers are bright magenta or pink-purple, varying from pale to deep (in shade) and rarely pure white. The leaves on most of the stem are reduced to scales, the few flowers and leaves at the summit providing a striking touch of color, often abundant in northern moist forests in spring. Cleistogamous flowers are produced at the base of a plant, often buried; their fruit is similar to those of the other flowers: a 2-seeded somewhat heart-shaped capsule.