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Polygaleae (Extensive genus species have)

An extensive genus (200 species have been described) of greenhouse or hardy, annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, or sub-shrubs, distributed over the temperate and warmer regions of the globe. Flowers sometimes showy, small, variable in colour; spikes or racemes terminal or lateral, rarely axillary, sometimes in contracted heads, rarely paniculate. Leaves alternate, or rarely opposite or verticillate. Only a comparative few of the species are now in cultivation. The hardy sorts are desirable subjects for borders and rockwork. The greenhouse species are fine and very distinct plants amongst the hard-wooded section. They are more easily grown than most others, and flower profusely each spring. Fibrous peat, with some silver sand intermixed, forms a suitable compost for Polygalas, which should be potted firm. Propagated, in spring, by cuttings of the young shoots, taken when about 3in. long, inserted in sandy peat, under a bell glass, placed in an intermediate temperature, and kept shaded.

P. Chamaebuxus (dwarf Box). Bastard Box. fl. cream-coloured or yellow, tipped with purple, fragrant; racemes axillary, few-flowered. Early summer. l. oblong-lanceolate, mucronate. Stem shrubby, branched, procumbent. h. 6in. Mountain woods in many parts of Europe, 1658. A very pretty, neat-habited, hardy sub-shrub. (B. M. 31.) P. C. purpurea is a handsome variety, dark brown, with purplish leaves. (Gn., Jan., 1878.) P. Hilairiana (St. Hilaire's). fl. the largest of the genus; three outer sepals small, ovate; two inner ones corolloid, white, tinged with green and black; inner petals mostly combined into a tube, white; lateral ones sub-acute, rose-coloured at the apex; racemes six to ten-flowered. Spring. l. 4in. to 5in. long, oblong-ovate, sub-acute. Stem unbranched, erect, 1ft. high. Bahia. Greenhouse shrub. (B. M. 5057.) P. myrtifolia grandiflora (Myrtle-leaved, large-flowered).* fl. rich purple; wings obliquely and broadly obovate; keel large, veiny; pedicels shorter than the flowers. April and May. l. on very short petioles, oblong or oblong-obovate, somewhat mucronate. h. 4ft. to 6ft. South Africa. A much-branched, greenhouse shrub. (B. M. 3616.) P. Dalmaisiana of gardens, a popular greenhouse plant, is either a form of P. myrtifolia, or a hybrid between it and P. oppositifolia.

P. oppositifolia (opposite-leaved).* fl. purplish, with a yellowish-green keel, in terminal, sub-corymbose racemes. l. opposite, cordate, ovate, acute. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1790. Greenhouse shrub. (B. R. 636.) P. o. cordata (heart-shape-leaved). l. broadly cordate, acute or acuminate. h. 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1791.

P.o. latifolia (broad-leaved). l. broadly ovate, cuspidate-acuminate. (B. R. 645.) P. paucifolia (few-leaved). fl. of a fine purple colour, large, in threes, terminal, the keel crested. May to August. l. ovate. Stems very simple, erect, naked below. h. 3in. North America, 1812 Hardy herbaceous perennial. (B. M. 2852.) P. Senega. Seneca Snake-root. fl. almost sessile; wings round-obovate, concave; crest short. May and June. l. lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, with rough margins. Stems several, from thick and hard, knotty rootstocks, simple, 6in. to 12in. high. North America. Hardy perennial herb. (B. M. 1051; B. M. Pl. 29; L. B. C. 1380.) P. virgata (twiggy). fl. purple or flesh-coloured, in long racemes. l. scattered, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate. Cape of Good Hope. Greenhouse shrub.

P. v. speciosa (showy). fl. purplish, with spreading pedicels, in loose racemes. May to October l. oblong-cuneate, obtuse, mucronate, upper ones linear, and, as well as the twiggy branches, glabrous. h. 6ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1814. A showy, greenhouse shrub. (B. M. 1780.) P. vulgaris (common). Common Milkwort; Procession Flower; Rogation Flower. fl. varying in colour, blue, lilac, purple, pink, or white, about 1/2in. long, in terminal racemes. June. l. small, oblong or lanceolate, glabrous Stems prostrate or erect, numerous, slender. Europe, &c. (Britain). Perennial herb. (Sy. En. B. 185.)