This winter we’re categorizing plants in our database by family. This week’s post is plants in the Polygalaceae (Milkwort), Polygonaceae (Buckwheat), Polypodiaceae (Rockcap Fern), Polyporaceae (Umbrella Polypore Fungi), Polytrichaceae (Haircap Moss), Pontederiaceae (Pickerel-weed), Porellaceae (Scalewort Liverwort), Portulacaceae (Purslane), Primulaceae (Primrose), Pteridaceae (Brake Fern), & Pucciniaceae (Rust Fungi) families.

Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, Cindy Carpenter, Daudie & John Colson, David Heavner, Richard Holzman, Betty Jones, Mary Knierim, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, Randy Richardson, & Joe Standaert. Botanical plant names seem to change almost every day, but for now we use those approved by ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show.