Scientific Family
Polygalaceae
Other common names
ruby polygala
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2 to 6 inches
Riparian
No
Herbaceous perennial, sometimes becoming somewhat shrubby, stems few, 2 to 6 inches tall or less, relatively stout, herbage bearing long, soft, straight hairs.
Plant is slightly woody at the base. Stems and leaves bearing long, soft, straight hairs. Branches not bearing spines. Flowers rose-purple. Keel petals have prominent ridge ending in a cone or cylinder-shape with a narrow tip, upper petals purple.
Habitat
Desert grasslands, chaparral and juniper woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3200
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Petals 3, 2 wing petals and 1 keel, keel petal with a very stout, blunt yellow beak, stamens 8 and united. Sepals 5, hairy, outer with a small sac at the base. Flowers borne in terminal or lateral elongated clusters, maturing from the bottom upwards.
Flower color
Rose-purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems 2 to 6 inches tall, erect or ascending, slightly woody at the base bearing long, soft, straight hairs. Leaves many, ovate to ovate-oblong, 1/16 to 1/2 inch wide, 1/4 to 3/4 inch long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules broadly ovate with 2 cells notched, surfaces nearly smooth.
Fruit type
Capsule