Alternate name: Gaywings

Family: Polygalaceae, Milkwort view all from this family

Description A low plant, flowering from prostrate, underground stems and rootstocks, with pink flowers tinged with purple in the axils of clustered upper leaves.
Flowers: 3/4" (2 cm) long; sepals 5, the 2 lateral ones wing-like; petals 3, forming a tube with a delicate, finely-fringed yellow or pink crest.
Leaves: upper ones 3/4-1 1/2" (2-3.8 cm) long; oval, crowded at top of stem; lower ones reduced, bract-like.
Height: 3-7" (7.5-17.5 cm).

Flower May-June.

Habitat Rich, moist woods.

Range Manitoba to New Brunswick; south through New England, and inland to Virginia and the mountains of Georgia; west to Tennessee, northern Illinois, Minnesota, and Manitoba.

Discussion This exquisite Orchid-like wildflower resembles a tailless, tiny airplane. It was thought that, if eaten by nursing mothers or fed to cows, Milkworts would increase milk production.