Despite being almost invisible due to its small size, and often disregarded as a valued wildflower, whorled milkwort, native to much of the continental U.S. including Pennsylvania, contributes to plant biodiversity by providing nectar for small bees and flies. Easily overlooked by hikers, this tiny 4–12 inch annual herb blooms from late June to October, bearing conical, spike‑like clusters up to 2 inches long of minute white to greenish‑white or pink flowers at stem tips and branch ends.

Whorled milkwort grows in delicate clumps of slender stems with narrow leaves. Leaves are whorled below in groups of 3–5, shifting to an alternate arrangement above, linear to narrowly elliptic with pointed tips. Bracts appear just beneath the flower clusters. After flowering, lower blossoms drop as ovoid capsules mature, releasing small, hairy brown‑black seeds before the capsules themselves detach, leaving tiny nubs along the stem.

Whorled milkwort thrives in full sun to part shade, favoring acidic, sandy or rocky soils. It grows in open woods, fields, prairies, cliffs, ledges, and disturbed sites such as roadsides or maintained clearings. Though resilient in disturbed habitats, local populations may be sparse where aggressive plants outcompete it.

Polygala comes from the Greek words 'polys', meaning much, and gala meaning milk, referring to the old belief that milkworts would aid in milk secretion. 'Verticillata' means whorled.