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Polygalaceae Hoffmannsegg & Link. Milkwort Family.

Key to Polygalaceae

A family of about 29 genera and about 1200 species, trees, shrubs, woody vines, 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 petals, partly fused into a tube, and also fused with the stamens. 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 lobes usually of 3 distinct sizes. The two lateral sepals are called wings; they are generally large and petaloid (colored like petals). The upper sepal is usually the next largest; the two lower sepals are usually the smallest.

Ref: 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.

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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.

image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Asemeia | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Asemeia | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Keith Bradley | Asemeia | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Eric Ungberg, all rights reserved, uploaded by Eric Ungberg source | Original Image ⭷ Warning: was NOT research grade.
image of plant© Bruce Sorrie | Asemeia | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷

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