The Winged Flower of Dry Meadows

A species typical of dry meadows and rocky slopes of the Apennines and the Ligurian-Piedmontese arc, where it forms compact tufts with racemes of violet, pink or white flowers. The name Polygala (“much milk”) comes from the ancient belief that the plant increased milk production in cows when used as fodder; Dioscorides even recommended it for pregnant women. The two large “wing-like” sepals, characteristic of the genus, conceal the corolla and give the flowers a distinctive appearance, making the species appreciated in naturalistic gardens.