Orange milkwort is a biennial wildflower in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae). The species epithet is Latin for "yellow." Although the inflorescences are a vivid orange in life, they turn yellow upon drying. The epithet is based on the color of a dried specimen seen by Linnaeus in the 18th century. The orange milkwort is commonly found growing in wet sandy soil and bogs as well as moist pine or hardwood forests and roadside ditches. In North Carolina, it is commonly found along the coast, rare in the Piedmont. This wildflower is rarely cultivated.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Oblong; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
.75 - 1.5" leaves, erect to ascending stems. The leaves are almost succulent to the touch.
Flower color
Orange
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Compact, head-like clusters. 3 small sepals, frequently one of these slightly larger than the others. 2 larger petalois sepals. Flowers bloom from April to October.