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Polygala vulgaris
  • Milkwort

a perennial member of the Polygala genus in the family Polygalaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Polygala vulgaris has 0 edible uses listed
Polygala vulgaris has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, at least one member of this genus is said to be poisonous in large quantities.

Edible uses

Notes

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[1]. They are used to adulterate green China tea[2].

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Polygala vulgaris.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bitter-tasting milkwort has a reputation for increasing milk flow in nursing mothers, but this belief is in fact unfounded[3]. Whilst little used in modern herbalism, the root and aerial parts of the plant contain triterpenoid saponins which promote the clearing of phlegm from the bronchial tubes and so is a valuable herb for the treatment of respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and convulsive coughs such as whooping cough[3]. The plant is also thought to have sweat-inducing and diuretic properties[3].

Unknown part

Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Expectorant
Stimulant

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Division.

Cuttings of young shoots in a frame in late spring[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Polygala vulgaris. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moderately fertile moisture-retentive well-drained soil, succeeding in full sun if the soil remains moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best in semi-shade[6]. Dislikes shade according to another report. A very polymorphic species[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Polygala vulgaris. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Polygala vulgaris.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Polygala vulgaris
Genus
Polygala
Family
Polygalaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
[3]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[7][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.35 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    4. ? Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society ISBN 1352-4186 (1994-00-00)
    5. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    7. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Polygala vulgaris 290504.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Polygala_vulgaris&oldid=79545"
    Facts about "Polygala vulgaris"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPolygalaceae +
    Belongs to genusPolygala +
    Has common nameMilkwort +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useTea +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imagePolygala vulgaris 290504.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.35 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Expectorant + and Stimulant +
    Has primary imagePolygala vulgaris 290504.jpg +
    Has search namepolygala vulgaris + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy namePolygala vulgaris +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +