Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Genus:
Species:
alba
ID:
1100675

Status:
valid

Authors:
Nutt.

Source:
tro

Year:
1818

Citation Micro:
Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 2: 87 (1818)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001100013

Common Names

  • Alba Polygala
  • White Milkwort
  • White Polygala

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Description

Polygala alba (also called White Milkwort, among many other common names) is a perennial herb that grows up to 30 cm tall. It is native to tropical America and is found in moist forests, along rivers, and in disturbed areas. Its leaves are alternate, lanceolate, and 2-4 cm long. Its flowers are white and its fruits are small, globose, and up to 1 cm in diameter.

Uses & Benefits

Polygala alba is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including fever, coughs, and colds.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Polygala alba var. tenuifolia S.F.Blake

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Polygala alba has small, bell-shaped flowers that are typically white or yellow in color. The seeds are small, black and round, and the seedlings have long, thin stems with small, oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Polygala alba is a perennial herb that is native to the western United States and northern Mexico. It grows in dry, rocky soils and is tolerant of drought and heat. It can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in spring or early summer in a well-drained soil. Cuttings can be taken in late summer or early fall and planted in a well-drained soil.

Where to Find Polygala alba

Polygala alba can be found in the mountains of the western United States and Canada.

Species in the Polygala genus

Polygala rostrata, Polygala rupestris, Polygala schinziana, Polygala savannarum, Polygala salasiana, Polygala saprophytica, Polygala santanderensis, Polygala sanariapoana, Polygala salviniana, Polygala sardoa, Polygala paludicola, Polygala oreotrephes, Polygala orbicularis, Polygala pallida, Polygala papuana, Polygala papilionacea, Polygala paniculata, Polygala omissa, Polygala northorpiana, Polygala afra, Polygala albida, Polygala adenophora, Polygala africana, Polygala anatolica, Polygala angolensis, Polygala alpestris, Polygala alpicola, Polygala alpina, Polygala amboniensis, Polygala amara, Polygala amarella, Polygala acarnanica, Polygala abyssinica, Polygala acicularis, Polygala cymosa, Polygala dasanensis, Polygala crista-galli, Polygala dhofarica, Polygala dispar, Polygala distans, Polygala declinata, Polygala dewevrei, Polygala classensii, Polygala comosa, Polygala citrina, Polygala costaricensis, Polygala corifolia, Polygala evolvulacea, Polygala exilis, Polygala exsquarrosa,

Species in the Polygalaceae family

Acanthocladus brasiliensis, Acanthocladus guayaquilensis, Acanthocladus moyanoi, Acanthocladus scleroxylon, Acanthocladus tehuelchum, Acanthocladus colombianus, Acanthocladus dukei, Acanthocladus pulcherrimus, Acanthocladus santosii, Acanthocladus dichromus, Ancylotropis insignis, Ancylotropis malmeana, Asemeia grandiflora, Asemeia ignatii, Asemeia ilheotica, Asemeia lindmaniana, Asemeia marquesiana, Asemeia martiana, Asemeia monninoides, Asemeia parietaria, Asemeia pohliana, Asemeia rhodoptera, Asemeia glabra, Asemeia hirsuta, Asemeia apopetala, Asemeia echinosperma, Asemeia hondurana, Asemeia securidaca, Asemeia sphaerospora, Asemeia tonsa, Asemeia acuminata, Asemeia extraaxillaris, Asemeia galmeri, Asemeia hebeclada, Asemeia mollis, Asemeia monticola, Asemeia ovata, Asemeia pseudohebeclada, Asemeia tobatiensis, Asemeia violacea, Asemeia floribunda, Atroxima afzeliana, Atroxima liberica, Badiera cubensis, Badiera fuertesii, Badiera oblongata, Badiera penaea, Badiera propinqua, Badiera virgata, Badiera subrhombifolia,

References