Polygalaceae Hoffmannsegg & Link. Common name: Milkwort Family.
A family of about 29 genera and about 1200 species, trees, shrubs, woody vine, and herbs, nearly cosmopolitan, but most diverse in tropical and subtropical areas.
ID notes: The Polygalaceae has a distinctive flower structure which can be confusing. The corolla consists of 3 fused petal, partly fused into a tube, and also fused with the stamen. The lower petal is called the keel; it is usually boatlike, and also (in most species in our region) lacerate, fringed, or lobed at its tip. The calyx is 5-lobed, the lobe usually of 3 distinct sizes. The two lateral sepal are called wings; they are generally large and petaloid (colored like petal). The upper sepal is usually the next largest; the two lower sepal are usually the smallest.
References: Abbott (2011); Abbott (2021) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2021); Eriksen & Persson In Kubitzki, Bayer, & Stevens (2007); Miller (1971b); Pastore & Abbott (2012); Pastore et al. (2019); Pastore et al. (2021); Pastore et al. (2023). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware | Polygaloides CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Asemeia | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Asemeia | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Asemeia | Original Image ⭷
© Eric Ungberg, all rights reserved, uploaded by Eric Ungberg source | Original Image ⭷ Warning: was NOT research grade.
© Bruce Sorrie | Asemeia
© Scott Ward | Senega lewtonii | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Senega lewtonii | Original Image ⭷
© Michelle W., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michelle W. | Hebecarpa ovatifolia source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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