Family: Polygalaceae
Polygala myrtifolia
Citation:
L., Sp. Pl. 703 (1753).
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: Myrtleleaved milkwort, parrot bush.
Description:
Large densely leaved shrub; leaves 1-4 cm long, elliptic to broad-elliptic, shortly petiolate, apex obtuse.
flowers purple to lilac, c. 2 cm long, in short terminal racemes; peduncle c. 1 cm long; outer sepals narrowly to widely ovate, apiculate; wing sepals broadly obliquely ovate; keel c. 1 cm long, bearing a crest of 2 much-branched appendages 4-6 mm long, much longer than the very acuminate lateral petals; stamens 8; filaments free for less than half their length; style curved; stigma short and broad.
Capsule c. 10 mm long, c. 8 mm wide, orbicular, with a marginal wing c. 1 mm wide; seeds c. 4 mm long, broadly ovoid to cylindrical, with scattered hairs.
| Polygala myrtifolia twig, 2 views of flower, flower with lateral petals removed, lateral petal, 2 views of the sepals.
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Image source: fig 418d in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).
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Published illustration:
Ewart (1931) Flora of Victoria, fig. 286; Rice & Compton (1950) Wild flowers of the Cape of Good Hope. pl. 8.
Distribution:
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Garden escape naturalised to some extent.
S.Aust.: EP, YP, SL, KI, SE. W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic. Native to Africa.
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Conservation status:
naturalised
Flowering time: throughout the year but mainly Sept. — Oct.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Author:
Not yet available
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