Polygala Linnaeus. Milkwort.
A genus of 300-400 species, trees, shrubs, and herbs, nearly cosmopolitan in distribution. The genus as currently circumscribed is clearly not monophyletic, even after the removal of some elements that are not closely related to the core of Polygala, and additional changes in generic circumscriptions are forthcoming (Abbott 2011; Pastore et al. 2019); it is unlikely that any of our species will remain in Polygala (which will be restricted to the Old World). Our taxa will likely be transferred to Senega (A.P. de Candolle) Spach.
Ref: Abbott (2011); Abbott (2021) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2021); Barger et al. (2023); Eriksen & Persson In Kubitzki, Bayer, & Stevens (2007); Haines (2010); Neubig & Abbott (2020); Pastore (2013); Pastore et al. (2019); Smith & Ward (1976); Sorrie & Weakley (2017a); Trauth-Nare & Naczi (1998). Show full citations.
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