Polygala vayredae Costa

A dwarf, procumbent, evergreen shrub rarely more than 4 in. above the ground; twigs wiry, glabrous or slightly downy. Leaves alternate, linear, pointed, 1⁄2 to 1 in. long, 1⁄12 in. wide, of rather leathery texture, glabrous except for the ciliate margins when young; very shortly stalked. Flowers produced during May from the leaf-axils of the previous season’s shoots, singly or in twos or threes. Outer sepals pale green or purplish, quite small; the two inner sepals 5⁄8 in. long, half as much wide, obovate, tapering to a narrow claw, bright rose-purple like the side petals; the keel is 1⁄2 in. long and terminates in a kind of hood which is yellow with a curious seven-lobed protuberance at the end. Bot. Mag., t. 9009.

Native of Spain on the Eastern Pyrenees of Catalonia, confined to a small area. Discovered originally in the early part of last century, but apparently lost sight of until 1877, when it was re-discovered by Señor Vayreda. It is related to P. chamaebuxus, but is well distinguished by the narrow leaves and the seven-lobed crest terminating the keel. It is an equally charming tiny shrub, especially for the rock garden, where, given the same treatment as its ally, it will form good tufts.