Overview
Polygaloides paucifolia is a low-growing rhizomatous perennial reaching 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) tall and spreading 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) wide into loose colonies. The plant carries oval, glossy leaves 0.5-1.5 inches (1.3-4 cm) long clustered toward the stem tips, with smaller scale-like leaves below. From May to June it produces rose-purple to magenta flowers 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) across; each flower has two spreading wing-like sepals and a tubular keel tipped with a crest of fringe-like lobes. Beneath the soil surface the plant also forms cleistogamous flowers that self-pollinate without opening. Foliage often persists through winter, turning bronze-purple in cold conditions. Roots associate with soil fungi, which makes established colonies slow to transplant and hard to start from divisions. It grows in acidic, humus-rich woodland soils under partial to full shade and declines where soils dry out or are disturbed. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, it occupies cool understory sites across eastern North America. Garden use is limited to woodland and native shade plantings where soil moisture and acidity can be maintained; it does not persist in open, dry, or alkaline ground.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from southern Canada and the Great Lakes region south through the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia. It grows in moist, acidic woodland soils.Suggested Uses
Used in woodland gardens, shaded native plantings, and as a groundcover in cool acidic soils. It combines with ferns, trilliums, and other spring woodland species in dappled shade. It is not suited to containers, open borders, or dry sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3" - 6"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowers open from May to June across most of the range, lasting about 3-4 weeks on a given colony. The wing-petaled flowers are followed later in summer by self-pollinating cleistogamous flowers borne at or below the soil surface. Seed set comes mainly from these hidden flowers rather than the spring flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
rose-purple to magentaFoliage Description
glossy dark green, turning bronze-purple in winterGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight