Common Milkwort
ExplorePlants
Common Milkwort
Polygala vulgaris
Common Milkwort is a pretty little flower that grows in fields and meadows. It has lovely purple or white petals and can be found blooming in the spring and summer.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Common Milkwort is a slender plant with multiple erect stems. It has small, narrow leaves and clusters of vibrant purple-blue, pink, or white flowers. Each unique flower resembles a tiny orchid or pea bloom, featuring two prominent wing-like sepals.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyPolygalaceaeGenusPolygala
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient healers used Milkwort for coughs and even snakebites!
Its quirky flowers look like tiny flying birds or exotic orchids!
The word 'Polygala' means 'much milk' in Greek, just like its name!
This small plant can trick insects by mimicking other flowers' scents!
Special abilities
Ability
Nectar Beacon
Common Milkwort has brightly colored, nectar-rich flowers that lure insects, ensuring successful reproduction and spreading its seeds.
Ability
Soil Seeker
Its tough, fibrous root system helps it thrive in poor, rocky or sandy soils by efficiently absorbing essential nutrients and water.
Ability
Seed Sprinter
Common Milkwort produces tiny, lightweight seeds with an elaiosome, allowing ants to disperse them far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to late summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar, aiding reproduction.
pollinates
Painted Lady Butterfly
Vanessa cardui
Visits flowers for nectar.
eaten by
Golden-Spotted Leaf Beetle
Chrysolina fastuosa
Larvae and adults feed on its leaves.
depends on
European Red Ant
Myrmica rubra
Disperses seeds with elaiosomes.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Common Milkwort?
5-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Common Milkwort?
0.5-1 cm
When does Common Milkwort bloom?
Late spring to late summer
Is Common Milkwort edible?
No
Is Common Milkwort toxic?
None
What is Common Milkwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Common Milkwort pollinated?
Insect
Where is Common Milkwort usually found?
Grasslands
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