Polygala calcarea

Polygala calcarea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Genus: Polygala
Species: P. calcarea
Binomial name
Polygala calcarea
F.W.Schultz

Polygala calcarea (chalk milkwort) is a species of flowering plant in the family Polygalaceae, native to western Europe. It is a mat-forming evergreen perennial growing to 5 cm (2 in) tall by 20 cm (8 in) broad, with leathery, oval leaves, and pale blue or deep blue flowers in Spring.[1]

The specific epithet calcarea means "growing in lime", though this plant will grow in a range of soils.[2] It prefers sharply drained conditions, and is suitable for cultivation in an alpine garden.

References

  1. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  2. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.