polygala

American  

[puh-lig-uh-luh] / pəˈlɪg ə lə /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Polygala, comprising the milkworts.

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polygala British  

/ pəˈlɪɡələ /

noun

1. any herbaceous plant or small shrub of the polygalaceous genus Polygala See also milkwort

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Other Word Forms

• polygalaceous adjective

Etymology

Origin of polygala

1570–80; < New Latin, genus name, special use of Latin polygala, for Greek polýgalon milkwort, literally, something very milky, equivalent to poly- poly- + -galon, derivative of gála milk; galacto-

Example Sentences

A teeny green perennial herb called Polygala smallii, or tiny polygala, poked out from beneath my hiking boot.

From National Geographic • Dec. 7, 2023

Root of seneka, polygala seneka, of elicampane, inula helenium.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

But the polygala is quite inodorous, while the guaco gives forth a strong aromatic smell, resembling valerian.

From The Quadroon Adventures in the Far West by Reid, Mayne

The spring-beauty, the painted trillium, the fringed polygala, the showy lady's-slipper, are all more striking to look upon, but they do not quite touch the heart; they lack the soul that perfume suggests.

From The Wit of a Duck and Other Papers by Burroughs, John

Silver birch and black With the selfsame spice Found in polygala root and rind, Sassafras, fern, benzöine, Mouse-ear, cowslip, wintergreen, Which by aroma may compel The frost to spare, what scents so well.

From Poems Household Edition by Emerson, Ralph Waldo