Species Detail Forb

Flower spike - John Kava		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Polygala barbeyana - blue milkwort Synonyms: Polygala longa, Polygala racemosa, Polygala reducta, Polygala tenuiloba Other Common Names: slenderlobe milkwort Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Polygalaceae
Flower spike - John Kava


Home	Plant Communities	Plant List	Search Forbs and Subshrubs	Search Grasses	Search Woody Plants	Additional Resources	About this Website

Click on Any Image for a Larger View
Flower spike John Kava	Leaves John Kava

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Annual or perennial Similar Species: Polygala obscura
General Desc: Small, upright, airy subshrub with very narrow leaves running sparsely up the stems. Small, purple flowers are found in elongated clusters at the tops of the stems. Ascending, stiff, crowded stems; stems densely leafy, flexuous and densely hairy.
Identification notes: Narrower leaves than P. obscura and seed capsules are only hairy at the margins, whereas the seed capsules of P. obscura are covered with velvety hairs. Base is somewhat woody and does not die down each year.
Height: To 2 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Found on the banks of arroyos and rocky hillsides.
Plant Communities: Interior Chaparral
Elevation: 3000 - 5000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Purple Shape: Irregular in elongated clusters Tubular: Y Flowering Period: Jun - Sep
Description: Flowers have 2 petal-like lateral bracts (sepals) and a tubular, dorsally-cleft, central keel of fused petals. Flowers are on spike-like but short branched stems.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Narrow Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Stems Spines: N
Leaf Description: The leaves are green, alternate and very narrow. The stems are green and upright.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Oval, about a 1/2 inch long, finely veined (veins in the form of a network).


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer