July 7, 2022

This plant is Orange Milkwort

Sometimes also called Bog Bachelor Button

Ants often help to disperse its seeds

Because they are elaisome gluttons.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/duval/horticulture/homowner-hort-pdfx27s/Polygala_lutea.pdf

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/elaiosome

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 9, 2021

This is Orange Milkwort

Sometimes also called "candy weed"

Its seeds have a structure called an elaiosome

Which attracts ants, who disperse the seeds.

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/duval/horticulture/homowner-hort-pdfx27s/Polygala_lutea.pdf

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/why-do-seeds-have-elaiosomes.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 10, 2020

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee

This is Orange Milkwort
They're orange when fresh, and yellow when dried
Another common name they have is Bog Cheetos
And it's inflorescence is raceme, or spiked.

Sources: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plan Toobox - Polygala lutea


Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson