Bloomipedia
Fringed polygala (Polygaloides paucifolia)
Photo: Lynn Harper via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Fringed polygala

Polygaloides paucifolia

Native in the lower 48

Fringed polygala is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 4 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

24states
4of our state lists
12,994U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire

Quick look

Chamaebuxus paucifolia, synonyms including Polygaloides paucifolia and Polygala paucifolia, known as gaywings or fringed polygala, is a perennial plant of the family Polygalaceae.

  • It belongs to the Polygalaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 24 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. NatureServe
  • In Michigan, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • In Massachusetts, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,170 research-grade sightings of it in Michigan, ranking #73 among the 111 flowers on our Michigan list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,588 research-grade sightings of it in Massachusetts, ranking #92 among the 110 flowers on our Massachusetts list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,120 research-grade sightings of it in New Hampshire, ranking #43 among the 109 flowers on our New Hampshire list. iNaturalist

Fringed polygala gift ideas

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (3,992 records)
Bloom time in each of our 4 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
MichiganNativeMay–June2,170
MassachusettsNativeMay1,588
New HampshireNativeMay–June1,120
MaineNativeMay–June900

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. R 299.1028
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DE (SX), IN (S1), KY (S1), NC (S2), OH (S1), SC (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records fringed polygala in 24 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Michigan counties with USDA records: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Benzie, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Houghton, Huron, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, Wayne, Wexford.

Massachusetts counties with USDA records: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Worcester.

New Hampshire counties with USDA records: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, Sullivan.

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Sources