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Senega incarnata

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Senega incarnata
Secure
Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Genus: Senega
Species:
S. incarnata
Binomial name
Senega incarnata
L. J.F.B.Pastore & J.R.Abbott
Synonyms[2]
  • Galypola incarnata (L.) Nieuwl.
  • Polygala incarnata L.
  • Polygala microptera A.W.Benn.
  • Polygala paniculata Leconte

Senega incarnata, commonly known as procession flower or pink milkwort, is a species of annual flower in the genus Senega and Polygalaceae family. It is found in North America.[3]

Description

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Senega incarnata may reach a height of up to 2 ft (60 cm).[4] The leaves are whorled or alternately arranged and are linear in shape. They range in length between 5 and 17 mm (0.20 and 0.67 in).[5]

Closeup

Flowers occur in spikes or racemes, with small petals that are pink in color. The corolla tube is 5 to 6.5 mm (0.20 to 0.26 in) in length and prominently fringed. The seeds are black and range in length from 1 to 1.7 mm (0.04 to 0.07 in).[5]

P. incarnata flowers from spring into the late summer.[6]

Distribution and habitat

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This species may be found throughout the eastern half of the United States into Ontario, Canada.[7] Its range within the United States stretches from New York south to Florida and westward to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.[4] P. incarnata is also found in Mexico and Central America, as far south as Nicaragua.[6]

Within its range, Senega incarnata can be found in habitat types such as prairies, woodlands, pine savannas, and glades.[4][8] It does best in dry, sandy soils with high levels of sun.[4]

References

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  1. ^ NatureServe (5 June 2026). "Senega incarnata Pink Milkwort". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  2. ^ "Senega incarnata (L.) J.F.B.Pastore & J.R.Abbott". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  3. ^ Weakley, Alan S. (October 20, 2020). Flora of the Southeastern united States. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  4. ^ a b c d "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  5. ^ a b Radford, Albert E.; Ahles, Harry E.; Bell, C. Ritchie (December 21, 1968). Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 9780807810873.
  6. ^ a b "Polygala incarnata in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  7. ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  8. ^ "Senega incarnata (Pink Milkwort) - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-02.