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(Polygala myrtifolia)
Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort (Polygala myrtifolia)
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Buscemi Giuseppe
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Buscemi Giuseppe
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Buscemi Giuseppe | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Attribution: Buscemi Giuseppe (cc-by-sa) | Rights Holder: Buscemi Giuseppe | Publisher: PlantNet | Date Created: 2019-04-23T11:46:34Z | Title: Polygala myrtifolia L.: flower | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Polygala myrtifolia, commonly known as Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort, is an evergreen shrub native to the coastal regions, forest margins, and scrublands of Southern Africa. It typically grows to a height of 5-6 feet and a width of 4-6 feet. The plant has a dense, rounded form with leathery, myrtle-like leaves that are a glossy green. The showy flowers, resembling those of sweet peas, bloom in shades of mauve, pink, crimson, or white, and feature a distinctive brush-like tuft. These blooms are present for much of the year, peaking in spring and summer. The fruit is an oval, brown, narrowly winged capsule that splits open when ripe.
Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort is valued for its long flowering season and its ability to attract pollinators with its unique flowers. It is used in gardens for hedging, as a screen, or as a feature plant in mixed borders. This species is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water landscapes. It requires well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to part shade. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. In regions where it is not native, such as California, it can become invasive, so gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort is valued for its long flowering season and its ability to attract pollinators with its unique flowers. It is used in gardens for hedging, as a screen, or as a feature plant in mixed borders. This species is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water landscapes. It requires well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to part shade. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. In regions where it is not native, such as California, it can become invasive, so gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 5-6 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Very Low, Low
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Coastal regions, forest margins, and scrublands of Southern Africa
Other Names
Common Names: Butterfly-Bush, Parrotbush, Myrtenjungfrulin
Scientific Names: , Polygala myrtifolia, Polygala grandiflora, Polygala ligularis, Polygala amoena, Polygala clutioides, Polygala cluytioides, Polygala myrtifolia var. rosmarinifolia, Polygala cluytoides, Polygala linkiana
GBIF Accepted Name: Polygala myrtifolia L.