Dwarf Milkwort
Polygala japonica

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It is 10-20 cm high and spreads 10-20 cm wide. It has a woody taproot. The stems can be erect or lie along the ground. The young growth has curly hairs. The leaves are 0.5-2.2 cm long by 0.3-0.8 cm wide. They are oval and dark green. The flowers are 0.6 cm across in groups 1-3 cm long. These are in the axils of leaves. They are mauve or purple. The capsule is about 0.4 cm across and round. It has wings. Now Polygala sibirica

There are about 600 Polygala species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It requires good drainage. It can tolerate some frost. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The roots are boiled in several changes of water. The core is removed then the root boiled again in fresh water before eating. The leaves are shoots are also eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings of firm young growth.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Polygala veronicea F.Muell.;