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Polygala myrtifolia  L.
Myrtle leaf milkwort
© 2019 MCOSD EDRR
© 2015 Pete Frye
© 2017 MCOSD EDRR
© 2016 Pete Frye
© 2023 MCOSD EDRR
© 2021 MCOSD EDRR
© 2015 Pete Frye
© 2021 MCOSD EDRR
© 2022 MCOSD Restoration Crew
Polygala myrtifolia is a shrub that is not native to California.
There is a high risk of this plant becoming invasive in California according to Cal-IPC.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
Observation Search
~31 records in California
redone or more occurrences
within a 7.5-minute quadrangle
Genus: Polygala
Family: Polygalaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Name Status:
Accepted by PLANTS + POWO
Information about  Polygala myrtifolia from other sources
USDA PLANTS Profile (POMY5)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

[Wikipedia] Etymology: Polygala is interpreted as 'much milk' since the plant was thought to stimulate milk production in European cows – myrtifolia translates as 'myrtle-shaped leaves'. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).