Senega officinalis
 
Senega Snakeroot

Lower Petal, Stamens and Pistil

Ruby Lake Recreation Site, 15 km North of Hudson Bay
12-July-2024

The lower petal contains a raised surface known as the landing platform.  There is a crest along the margin of the landing platform and the crest contains several finger-like projections call fimbrillae. The lower petal also contains two pockets called auricles which normally enclose the stamens. However the lower petal has been pulled away from the stamens and pistil in this specimen.

Officinalis: This species used to be known as Polygala senega.  The following are answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species, assuming it was part of genus Polygala.  Thus these questions distinguish this species from other species in the original Polygala.
plants perennial; NOT [plants annual]
leaves alternate; NOT [leaves whorled]
leaves lanceolate to ovate; NOT [leaves linear or linear-oblanceolate]
inflorescence oblong, cylindrical; NOT [inflorescence conic]
flowers many; NOT [flowers 1-4]
flowers white; NOT [flowers rose-purple]