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Polygala smallii R.R. Sm. & D.B. Ward
Small’s milkwort, Tiny polygala

Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Keith A. Bradley

Family: Polygalaceae

Group: Dicot

Substrate: Terrestrial

Habit: Herb

Perennation: Biennial

Native Range: Endemic to peninsular Florida.

Map of select IRC data for peninsular Florida

NatureServe Global Status: Critically Imperiled

United States Federal Status: Endangered

State of Florida Status: Endangered

Florida Natural Areas Inventory State Status: Critically Imperiled

IRC SOUTH FLORIDA Status: Critically Imperiled

SOUTH FLORIDA Occurrence: Present

SOUTH FLORIDA Native Status: Native

South Florida History and Distribution: This is very rare in South Florida and known only from a few scattered populations. Ranked as imperiled in Rare Plants of South Florida (Gann, Bradley and Woodmansee, 2002), this was reranked as critically imperiled using updated NatureServe criteria in June, 2018.

SOUTH FLORIDA Cultivated Status: Not Cultivated

Comments: For a current review of Polygala smallii throughout its range, see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Species Profile. See also Florida Natural Areas Inventory's Field Guide to the Rare Plants of Florida page (Chafin 2000).

Other data on Polygala smallii available from :

Polygala smallii has been found in the following 6 conservation areas :
Occurrence Native Status
Deering Estate at Cutler Present Native
Fort Lauderdale Ex. Airport Gopher Tortoise Preserve Possibly Extirpated Possibly Extirpated
Jonathan Dickinson State Park Present Native
Jupiter Ridge Natural Area Present Native
Pine Shore Preserve Present Native
Zoo Miami Present Native

Polygala smallii has been found in the following 4 counties :
Occurrence Native Status
Broward County Possibly Extirpated Possibly Extirpated
Martin County Native
Miami-Dade County Native
Palm Beach County Native

Polygala smallii has been found in the following 5 habitats :
Disturbed Upland
Pine Rockland
Sandhill
Scrub
Scrubby Flatwoods

All Images:

Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Keith A. Bradley
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Keith A. Bradley
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Michelle M. Smith, 2018
In habitat, Pine Shore Preserve, Florida
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Michelle M. Smith, 2018
In habitat, Pine Shore Preserve, Florida
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Michelle M. Smith, 2018
In habitat, Pine Shore Preserve, Florida
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Michelle M. Smith, 2018
In habitat, Pine Shore Preserve, Florida
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Keith A. Bradley
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Roger L. Hammer
Polygala smallii
Copyright by: Roger L. Hammer