Wildflower - Fringed Polygala

I found a small patch of Fringed Polygala in the woods on our cabin property. This native wildflower is one of my favorites and also goes by the names Bird-on-the-Wing, Flowering Wintergreen, Fringed Milkwort, Gay Wings and Gaywings. This small, 1 to 1.5 inch, strangely shaped flower might fool someone into thinking this is a member of the orchid family, but is part of the Milkwort family.



There are three petals. Two of them are outstretched, like wings. The third forms a sort of cylinder around the stamens.



A close up view of the fringed crest.



The Fringed Polygala is an endangered species in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.