Practical
Plants

Polygala amara

Bitter Milkwort

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The herb is bitter, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, mildly expectorant, galactogogue[6][4]. An infusion is used to treat stomach upsets, bladder and kidney disorders etc[6]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and dried for later use[6].

Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Galactogogue

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway.
Habitat
Grassland and damp mountain pastures, especially on chalk and limestone[6][2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[5]. 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[1].

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[3]. Dislikes shade according to another report.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  4. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  5. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

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  6. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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