SENECA SNAKEROOT 



Polygala Senega L. 

 MILKWORT FAMILY 



The Seneca Snakeroot is found in dry or rocky soil from New 

 Brunswick to Alberta. It seems to be equally at home in open 

 woods, among thickets, or on the plains. If supplied with shade 

 and sufficient moisture, it may reach a height of sixteen inches. 

 On the other hand, in full sunshine and dry soil it seems also to 

 prosper, but may be only one-quarter as tall. 



The clustered stems rise from a thick, hard, and knotty root- 

 stock. The lower part of the stem the part hidden in the grass 

 is purple in color, and here the leaves are reduced to scales. The 

 ordinary leaf is remarkably uniform in size and shape, smooth 

 except on the edges, and with a prominent mid vein. The white 

 flowers, borne in a terminal spike, are irregular in form. Two 

 of the five sepals are white and petal like, and are called wings. 

 Of the three petals, the lower and larger one concave and crested 

 is called the keel. The flowers never open widely, and most 

 of the time are closed, giving the flower-spike the appearance 

 of being always in bud. The whole aspect of this little plant 

 is neat and attractive, and although it is not at all showy its 

 discovery always gives pleasure. 



The name Polygala is from the Greek meaning "much milk." 

 It was applied from a belief that the eating of it by cows increased 

 the secretion of the lactic fluid. Some of the other species may 

 be partaken of by cattle, but this one does not seem to be eaten. 

 The roots, however, although no longer considered to be a remedy 

 for snakebite, have some medicinal value, and there is a limited 

 commercial demand for them. 



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