Polygalaceae

Polygala, the name used by Dioscorides, from the Greek polys much or abounding in, and gala milk, this plant had the reputation for promoting milk secretion. Small trees, shrubs or herbs; leaves usually alternate, simple. Flowers irregular in shape, distinct calyx and corolla, sepals 5, petals usually 3, often appearing like a pea-flower but without the large ‘standard’, keel petal is usually crested and the 2 lateral petals are small to rudimentary; stamens 3-10. Carpels usually 2, fruit usually a laterally compressed capsule.