Family: Polygalaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 702 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Polygala
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to N. & C. Türkiye
Description
The Common milkwort, known scientifically as Polygala vulgaris, is an intriguing and widespread plant that captivates botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. First documented by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, the plant has since become a subject of considerable study due to its extensive range and unique characteristics.
Native primarily to the diverse terrains of Europe, this resilient species extends its reach to northern and central regions of Türkiye, flourishing in a variety of habitats. Its adaptability to different environments is a testament to its evolutionary success.
Belonging to the Polygalaceae family, the Common milkwort is distinguished by its ability to thrive in both wild and managed landscapes. It typically grows in meadows, grasslands, and even open woodland areas, where its eye-catching clusters of small, vibrant blue or occasionally pink flowers can be seen from late spring through early autumn.
The continued survival and ecological presence of Polygala vulgaris across such a wide geographical area highlight not only the plant’s resilience but also the importance of conserving its varied habitats. By understanding the factors that contribute to the propagation and health of this species, botanists can better appreciate the complex dynamics that support biodiversity in these regions.
Common Names
Dan: almindelig mælkeurt
Eng: common milkwort
Deu: gemeine kreuzblume, gewöhnliche kreuzblume, gewöhnliches kreuzblümchen i.w.s.
Nob: blåfjær, bakkeblåfjær
Nno: blåfjør, bakkeblåfjør
Nld: gewone vleugeltjesbloem, duinvleugeltjesbloem, gewone vleugeltjesbloem var. vulgaris
Fin: isolinnunruoho
Swe: isolinnunruoho, jungfrulin
Fra: polygala vulgaire, polygale commun, herbe à lait, polygala commun, polygale vulgaire
Sme: lottedolgi, lottebeallemas
Cym: amlaethai, amlaethai cyffredin, llaethlys, llys crist, llysiau crist, llysiau’r llaeth
Gla: lua an bhainne, lus an bhainne
En: Common milkwort, Milkwort
Ar: مغزرة شائعة
Be: Крапінец звычайны
Bg: Обикновена телчарка
Ca: Polígala vulgar
Kw: Lethles
Hr: Krestušac
Cs: Vítod obecný
Da: Almindelig Mælkeurt
Nl: Gewone vleugeltjesbloem, Duinvleugeltjesbloem, Gewone vleugeltjesbloem var. vulgaris
Et: Aas-vahulill
Fi: Isolinnunruoho
Fr: “Polygala commun, Polygala vulgaire”, Polygala vulgaire, Polygale commun, Herbe à lait, Polygala commun, Polygale vulgaire
De: Gemeine Kreuzblume, Gewöhnliches Kreuzblümchen, Gewöhnliche Kreuzblume, Gewöhnliches Kreuzblümchen i.w.S.
Hu: Szenegafű
Ga: Lus an bhainne
It: Bozzolina, Poligala comune
Se: Lottedolgi, Lottebeallemas
No: Blåfjær
Nb: Blåfjær, Bakkeblåfjær
Nn: Blåfjør, Bakkeblåfjør
Pl: Krzyżownica zwyczajna
Gd: Lua an bhainne, Lus an bhainne
Sk: Horčinka obyčajná
Es: Hierba lechera, Poligala común, Navadna grebenuša, Polígala
Sv: Jungfrulin, Isolinnunruoho
Cy: Amlaethai cyffredin, Amlaethai, Llaethlys, Llys Crist, Llysiau Crist, Llysiau’r Llaeth
Synonyms
- Polygala serpyllacea subsp. ciliata ((Lebel ex Syme) Nyman)
- Polygala vulgaris var. hispanica (Soó)
- Polygala vulgaris f. dunensis ((Dumort.) Paol.)
- Polygala vulgaris subvar. littoralis (Lange ex Chodat)
- Polygala vulgaris var. renati ((Sennen) Sennen)
- Polygala vulgaris f. littoralis ((Lange ex Chodat) Chodat)
- Polygala vulgaris var. alba (Gillot)
- Polygala collina var. littoralis ((Lange ex Chodat) Borbás)
- Polygala dunensis var. ciliata ((Lebel ex Syme) Corb.)
- Polygala oxyptera f. ciliata ((Lebel ex Syme) Paol.)
- Polygala pedemontana var. guarensis (Pau ex Chodat)
- Polygala polymorpha var. vulgaris ((L.) K.F.Schimp. & Spenn.)
- Polygala oxyptera var. ciliata ((Lebel ex Syme) Gren.)
- Polygala oberthuerii var. renati (Sennen)
- Polygala vulgaris var. lusitana (Welw. ex Lange)
- Polygala polymorpha (K.F.Schimp. & Spenn.)
- Polygala vulgaris var. littoralis ((Lange ex Chodat) P.Graebn.)
- Polygala vulgaris subsp. angustifolia (Lange)
- Polygala vulgaris var. lusitanica (Cout.)
- Polygala vulgaris var. multicaulis ((Tausch) Opiz)
- Polygala vulgaris subvar. brachybracteata (Chodat)
- Polygala vulgaris f. annua (Caball.)
- Polygala vulgaris var. caliptera (Legrand)
- Polygala vulgaris subsp. caliptera ((Legrand) Gand.)
- Polygala vulgaris f. multicaulis ((Tausch) Paol.)
- Polygala vulgaris f. caliptera ((Legrand) Paol.)
- Polygala vulgaris subsp. multicaulis ((Tausch) Gand.)
- Polygala vulgaris var. ciliata (Lebel ex Syme)
- Polygala vulgaris subvar. caliptera ((Legrand) Litard.)
- Polygala amara subsp. angustifolia (Lange ex Gand.)
- Polygala vulgaris f. oxyptera ((Rchb.) Paol.)
- Polygala vulgaris f. ciliata (Legrand)
- Polygala vulgaris var. collina ((Rchb.) Opiz)
- Polygala vulgaris subvar. ciliata ((Lebel ex Syme) Chodat)
- Polygala vulgaris subsp. renati ((Sennen) Sennen)
- Polygala vulgaris subvar. collina ((Rchb.) Chodat)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 23, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2017 by stephane.herens (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 20, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 25, 2021 by joselu_4 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 9, 2020 by yvette Dupanloup (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Apr 23, 2022 by H S (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2021 by Jean-Francois Julien (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2021 by Steve LE BRIQUIR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Perrine M (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 19, 2018 by Bastien Jorigné (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2017 by Tela Botanica − _ (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − José Luis ROMERO REGO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Chris Bristow (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2022 by Olaya Garcia (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Other
Taken Apr 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2022 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2022 by Simon Giles (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2022 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3191374)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:692570-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Polygala vulgaris L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 8
Soil nutriments: 2