Tiny Polygala

Tiny polygala thrive in pine rocklands and scrub that are maintained by regular fire cycles. It is only found in quartz sand soils, known colloquially as “sugar sand” because it is almost white and looks similar to granulated sugar.

This diminutive annual herb grows to a height of less than two inches. Its oval-shaped leaves form a rosette at the base of the stem, and yellow-green flowers cluster into a drumhead atop a single stalk. The tiny seeds, which are about 2 mm long, have an especially interesting adaption, with a structure called an ‘elaiosome’ on one end. The elaiosome is nutritious and attractive to ants, who will pick up the seed and move it around to eat the elaiosome -- thereby dispersing it.

Tiny polygala has a short life span, lasting only about 180 days. Seedlings appear primarily at the end of the rainy seasons in September to November, with a few appearing just before the onset of summer rains in May or June.

The plant produces a seed bank that persists in the soil for at several years. Once triggered by fire, disturbance, or heavy rains,  germination typically occurs within three weeks. Fire plays a crucial role in triggering seed germination. Seedling emergence can vary widely from year to year.

Bachelor’s buttons or candyroot (Polygala nana) looks very similar to tiny polygala, but it has slightly more tapered wing sepals (a part of the flower). It also has smaller seeds and prefers soils with more moisture.