Candyroot
Pictured above: Candyroot (Senega nana) by Mary Keim. Click on terms for botanical definitions. View post as a PDF.
Candyroot (Senega nana) is an annual herbaceous wildflower found in wet to moist pine flatwoods, wet prairies and coastal swales. It typically blooms in late spring through summer, but can bloom year-round. Its seeds are spread almost exclusively by ants. The seeds contain elaisomes — fleshy, oil- and protein-rich structures. Ants collect the seeds and take them to their nest where they and their larva consume the elaisomes, but leave the seed intact. The seeds are then tossed from the nest into favorable germinating conditions.
Candyroot’s distinctive inflorescence is a compact, thimble-shaped raceme comprised of many tiny pale to lemon-yellow flowers. Leaves are thick, spatulate and curl slightly upright. They are mostly in basal rosettes. Stem leaves are few and alternately arranged. Stems are glabrous. Seeds are born in capsules.
The species epithet nana is from the Greek nânos or “dwarf,” and refers to the plant’s small habit. The plant’s root has a licorice flavor when chewed, hence the common name “candyroot.” Like other species of Senega, it is sometimes referred to as bachelor’s buttons.
NOTE: Research published in 2023 assigned the New World clade of Polygala to the genus Senega (Pastore et al). This species was previously known as Polygala nana and is likely still listed as such in many online and print resources.
Family: Polygalaceae (Milkwort family)
Native range: Nearly throughout
To see where natural populations of Candyroot have been vouchered, visit florida.plantatlas.usf.edu.
Lifespan: Annual
Soil: Moist to wet well-drained soils
Exposure: Full sun to minimal shade
Growth habit: 3–6” tall
Candyroot is not commercially available. Visit a natural area to see it.
For information on other Senega species, see these resources:
Drumheads
Yellow milkwort
Orange milkwort
Baldwin’s milkwort
