POLYGALACE^B. MILKWORT TRIBE. 83 



ORD. XI. POLYGALACILE. THE MILKWORT TRIBE. 



- Sepals 5, unequal, the two inner larger, generally 

 petal-like ; petals 3 5, unequal, more or less combined , 

 with, the filaments ; stamens 8, in two equal sets ; anther 

 1 -celled, opening by pores at the summit; pistil 1; 

 capsule \ 3 celled; seeds pendulous. An extensive 

 tribe of herbaceous or shrubby plants, with clustered, 

 often showy flowers. ,.Many are bitter, and their roots 

 are milky. Medicinally they are said to be useful in 

 affections of the lungs, and to excite perspiration. The 

 most celebrated is a North American herb, Polygala 

 Senega (Snake-root), to which extraordinary virtujes are 

 ascribed. Several species are said to cure snake-bites. 

 Kramer ia (Khatany-rot>t) is astringent, and furnishes a 

 red infusion used to adulterate Port wine. Some of the 

 above properties, but in a less degree, reside in the only 

 British genus, Polygala. 



1. POLYGALA (Milkwort). Sepals 5, the two inner 

 coloured, wing-shaped ; .petals combined with the fila- 

 ments, the lower one keeled ; capsule flattened, 2- 

 celled, 2-valved ; seeds downy, crested at the base. 

 (Name from the Greek, signifying much milk, the juice 

 of the root being milky.) 



1. POL^GALA (MilJcwori). 



1. P. vulgdris (Common Milkwort). Lower petal 

 crested in a star-like manner ; calyx-wings about equal 

 in length to the corolla ; bracts 3, at the base of each 

 flower ; stems simple, ascending, herbaceous ; leaves 

 narrow. Common on heaths and dry pastures, where 

 it is highly ornamental during the later summer 

 months, with its starlike, blue, pink or white flowers. 

 Fl. June August. Perennial. 



* In the chalk districts a Polygala occurs, which is 

 made by some botanists a distinct species, under the 

 rather alarming name of P. calcdrea (Chalk MilkwortX 

 It differs from the preceding in having the lower leaves 



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