Order XVI
POLYGALEE. 539 Sauvagésia Jacq.
Most of the plants of this order are interesting, and deserving the attention of the gardener, some for their neatness, some for their beauty, and some for their use in medicine. They are natives of most countries, and are either low herbaceous plants, occasionally less than an inch in height (small specimens of Polygala purpúrea), or shrubs varying from a dwarf, rigid, spiny habit, to a tall, graceful, drooping appearance. Polygaleæ are remarkable for the union of their stamens into a single body, their one-celled anthers opening with a pore, and their irregular flowers, one of which is often keel-shaped, and beautifully crested or bearded. The leaves have generally a bitter astringent taste, which is much more abundant in the roots, combined with an acrid and somewhat resinous flavour: these properties are particularly sensible in P. sénega, which is reputed a sudorific, diuretic, sialagogue, cathartic, or mild emetic, according to the manner in which it is administered. The Yelhoi of South America, the root of a species of Monnina, has the same properties as P. sénega, and is particularly used as a remedy for dysentery. The well known Rattany, or Ratanhia root, of Chile, is the produce of a plant of this order, and possesses powerful tonic and astringent qualities. According to the analysis of a French chemist, it contains gallic acid, but neither tannin nor resin. 1511 Securidáca. L. 1508 Polýgala W. 1509 Muráltia Neck. 1510 Múndia Kunth.