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Volume IV (1988) - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons
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Polygala L.

POLYGALA L.

Herbs or shrubs. Lvs alternate, opposite or verticillate. Fls in terminal, pseudolateral or axillary heads, racemes or panicles. Calyx 4-5-merous; 2 inner segments usually larger and petaloid (wings), persistent or deciduous. Petals usually 3, the outer sometimes reduced, the inner (keel) often beaked or with a fimbriate crest. Stamens usually 8, rarely 6; anthers 1-2-locular. Fr. a 2-celled, laterally flattened, dehiscent, oval to orbicular capsule, sometimes winged, usually membranous; seed usually hairy.

Key

1
Shrubs up to 2 m high; calyx wings 10-17 mm long; pedicels 5-10 mm long
2
Herbs up to 30 cm high, sometimes woody at base; calyx wings 1.5-8 mm long; pedicels 0.5-2 mm long
3
2
Fls clustered in short, simple racemes; calyx wings c. 15-17 mm long
1. *myrtifolia
Fls in loose, simple or branched racemes; calyx wings c. 10-12 mm long
4. *virgata
3
Lower lvs whorled; calyx wings 1.5-2 mm long; capsule not winged
3. *verticillata
Lower lvs opposite or alternate; calyx wings 4-8 mm long; capsule winged
4
4
Lower lvs, and sometimes upper lvs, opposite or subopposite; racemes 4-10-flowered, terminal or appearing lateral; capsule 2-4.5 mm long, usually 1/2-3/4 length of calyx wings
2. *serpyllifolia
All lvs usually alternate, rarely subopposite; racemes (8)-10-25-(35)-flowered, all terminal; capsule 4-6 mm long, 3/4 to = calyx wings
5. *vulgaris

500-600 spp., cosmopolitan. Naturalised spp. 5.

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