Polygala

Polygala
Polygala vulgaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Tribe: Polygaleae
Genus: Polygala
Tourn. ex L.
Type species
Polygala vulgaris
L.
Species

See text

Synonyms
List
  • Brachytropis Rchb.
  • Isolophus Spach
  • Microlophium Fourr.
  • Phylax Noronha
  • Pilostachys Raf.
  • Plostaxis Raf.
  • Psychanthus Raf.
  • Tricholophus Spach

Polygala is a large genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Polygalaceae. They are commonly known as milkworts or snakeroots. The genus is distributed widely throughout much of the world in temperate zones and the tropics. The genus name Polygala comes from the ancient Greek "much milk", as the plant was thought to increase milk yields in cattle.