Polygala bracteolata, sometimes called the lanceleaf butterflybush, spreads its pair of inner sepals widely, resembling both petals and wings. The prominent white apical crest on the keeled lower petal cannot be missed. Some pointed green buds, suffused with pink are nearly ready to open at the top of the raceme in picture. Flowering occurs from late winter through spring.

A couple of the narrow, blue-green leaves of the plant are visible below the flowers (Bean and Johns, 2005; iSpot).