Family · Rosids
Polygalaceae
Milkworts
Milkwort family: herbs, shrubs and vines with pea-like flowers, once thought to boost milk yield in grazing livestock.
- Accepted species
- 1,333accepted names · Kew WCVP
- Genera
- 30accepted genera · Kew WCVP
- Origin
- ≈60 MaPaleogene · crown age, Jin & Qian 2022 megatree
- Centre of diversity
- Southern Americamost native species · WGSRPD
Open Polygalaceae in the treePan, zoom and dig into its genera in the interactive view.›
Plants you might know
- Polygala
- Securidaca
- Monnina
Genera
Polygala428 spp.
Senega238 spp.
Monnina168 spp.
Muraltia119 spp.
Xanthophyllum108 spp.
Securidaca62 spp.
Comesperma38 spp.
Asemeia35 spp.
Hebecarpa19 spp.
Rhinotropis17 spp.
Caamembeca13 spp.
Bredemeyera12 spp.
Moutabea11 spp.
Acanthocladus8 spp.
Badiera7 spp.
Epirixanthes7 spp.
Heterosamara7 spp.
Chamaebuxus6 spp.
Diclidanthera6 spp.
Carpolobia5 spp.
Salomonia5 spp.
Ancylotropis2 spp.
Atroxima2 spp.
Gymnospora2 spp.
Monrosia2 spp.
Phlebotaenia2 spp.
Barnhartia1 spp.
Eriandra1 spp.
Hualania1 spp.
Rhamphopetalum1 spp.
Where it grows
- Southern America513
- Africa356
- Asia-Tropical178
- Northern America140
- Asia-Temperate107
- Australasia84
- Europe51
- Pacific5
Native species richness by botanical continent (WGSRPD level 1), from Kew WCVP.
Related families
Polygalaceae sits in the order Fabales.