Bloomipedia
Showy milkwort (Asemeia grandiflora)
Photo: Athena Philips via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Showy milkwort

Asemeia grandiflora

Native to Florida

Showy milkwort is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Florida it's most often seen in bloom in January–December.

7states
3,394FL sightings*
3,755U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Florida

Quick look

Asemeia grandiflora, commonly known as showy milkwort, is a species of perennial flower found in North America. Previously known as Polygala grandiflora, the name of this species was changed to the currently-used Asemeia grandiflora in 2012.

  • It belongs to the Polygalaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 7 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Florida. NatureServe
  • In Florida, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in January–December. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,394 research-grade sightings of it in Florida, ranking #85 among the 110 flowers on our Florida list. iNaturalist

Showy milkwort gift ideas

Handmade showy milkwort gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

In Florida, most flowering sightings come in January–December.

Flowering records by month in Florida (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (197 records)

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
Florida
Not listed Not on Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Florida. FAC 5B-40.0055
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: LA (S2), NC (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 showy milkwort in 7 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina.

More Florida flowers

Orange milkwort (Senega lutea)

Orange milkwort

Senega lutea

Native

🌼 Blooms in FL: January–May
Candyroot (Senega nana)

Candyroot

Senega nana

Native

🌼 Blooms in FL: January–May
Yellow bachelor's button (Senega rugelii)

Yellow bachelor's button

Senega rugelii

Native

🌼 Blooms in FL: January–December

Sources