A plant genus of the family POLYGALACEAE that contains onjisaponins, xanthones, pyrones, and benzophenones. The name is similar to other snakeroots such as ASARUM; SANICULA; ARISTOLOCHIA; AGERATINA; and others.
    

concept

A flowering alpine milkwort (Polygala chamaebuxus var. grandiflora). Chromolithograph, c. 1878, after H. Moon.

Senega root plant (Polygala senega): flowering stem, rootstock and floral segments. Coloured lithograph after M. A. Burnett, c. 1847.

Seven plants, including three orchids and a gesneria: flowering stems and floral segments. Coloured etching, c. 1837.

A milkwort or gang flower (Polygala vulgaris): one plant with red flowers and three stems with blue flowers. Colour nature print by H. Bradbury.

Five flowering plants, including milkwort (Polygala vulgaris) and sea heath (Frankenia laevis). Chromolithograph by W. Dickes & co., c. 1855.

An experimental enquiry into the properties of the Polygala senega : submitted, as an inaugural thesis, to the examination of the Reverend John Andrews ..., the Trustees, and medical professors of the University of Pennsylvania, on the eighth day of June, 1803 for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by Thomas Massie.

An inaugural dissertation on the Polygala senega, commonly called seneca snake-root : submitted to the examination of the Rev. John Ewing, S.S.T.P., provost, the trustees & medical faculty, of the University of Pennsylvania, on the 22d day of May, 1798, for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by Isaac Winston, of Virginia ; honorary member of the Philadelphia Medical Society.

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Polygala

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Seven plants, including three orchids and a gesneria: flowering stems and floral segments. Coloured etching, c. 1837.

Five flowering plants, including milkwort (Polygala vulgaris) and sea heath (Frankenia laevis). Chromolithograph by W. Dickes & co., c. 1855.

A flowering alpine milkwort (Polygala chamaebuxus var. grandiflora). Chromolithograph, c. 1878, after H. Moon.