THE MILKWORT FAMILY 
[ORDER X. POLYGALEiE] 
HIS family may be distinguished by its irregular flowers, with 5 unequal sepals, the 2 
innermost being petal-like, often larger than the petals, and the stamens being in 2 
In Europe the family is only represented by the Milkwort (Polygala), the other members 
being chiefly inhabitants of the tropics or the Southern Hemisphere. Many South African species 
are cultivated in greenhouses. 
Several foreign species are reported to have medicinal value. The Snake-root (Polygala 
Senega), a North American plant, is believed to be an antidote to snake-bites. 
MILKWORT. (POLYGALA, LINN.) — Flowers in terminal clusters. Sepals 5, the 2 inner 
large, petal-like (petaloid), the other 3 small ; petals 3-5, unequal, the lowest turned up at the 
apex and finely toothed ; stamens 8, in 2 bundles, united to the petals from the base half way up ; 
carpels 2, united into a 2-celled seed-case, 1 style and 1 stigma. Fruit a flat, 2-celled capsule (a 
dry roundish fruit), opening where the carpels unite. Herbs or shrubs with entire leaves and no 
stipules. 
Common Milkwort, Gangweed. (Polygala vulgaris, Linn.)— Flowers in graceful 
terminal clusters of 10-20, hanging on short flower-stalks with a small bract at the base of each 
little stalk ; sepals 5, the 3 outer small, narrow, greenish ; the 2 inner twice as long, broad, egg- 
shaped, longer and broader than the fruit, coloured like the petals, and beautifully veined in a 
network ; petals 3-5, much smaller than the sepals, the 2 side ones narrow, the lowest turned up 
at the apex and finely toothed, bright blue, white, or pink ; stamens 8, in two bundles ; capsule 
flat, 2-celled, each cell containing 1 seed; stems many, 2-10 inches long, with the leaves at the 
base nearly round, and the upper ones oblong or narrow, all entire, smooth, and alternate. 
Common. Heaths and dry pastures, especially on chalky soil. June — August. Perennial. 
Polygala oxyptera, Reichb. — A similar plant but with smaller flowers, the 2 large wing 
sepals narrower and shorter than the capsule, more zig-zag branches, and narrower leaves. 
Rare, local. Sandy places near the sea. June — August. Perennial. 
Lesser Common Milkwort. (Polygala serpyllacea, Weihe.) — A similar plant, with 
the flowers few and small, the 2 side wing-sepals broader than the fruit ; the stem very slender, 
wiry, prostrate, and the leaves nearly opposite and oval. [Plate 19. 
Commonest form. Heaths, grassy places. June — August. Perennial. 
bundles. 
[Plate 19. 
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