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Glite Dictionary
genus Polygala

genus Polygala

9.9
A group of flowering plants often called milkworts and used in medicine
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs pəˈlɪɡəˌlɑ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Polygala
  • The genus Polygala comprises over 500 species of flowering plants found mainly in temperate regions.

Examples

  • New discoveries of species related to the genus Polygala are occasionally reported in botanical journals.

  • Many herbalists value certain species within the genus Polygala for their medicinal properties.

  • The genus Polygala includes many flowering plants.

  • Many species belong to the genus Polygala.

  • Many herbalists value certain species within the genus Polygala for their medicinal properties.

  • The genus Polygala comprises over 500 species of flowering plants found mainly in temperate regions.

  • New discoveries of species related to the genus Polygala are occasionally reported in botanical journals.

Synonyms

Polygala
vsgenus Polygala
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of flowering plants with bright flowers, including milkwort and senega

is the taxonomic type genus serving as the family's reference

Surface Forms

genus Polygala singular
genera Polygala plural

Morphology

genus + Polygala

This is a transparent, compositional noun phrase: combining 'genus' (a biological rank) with the proper name 'Polygala' directly yields the meaning 'the genus named Polygala' or the group of species called Polygala. The structure and logic are literal and cross-linguistically common in scientific naming, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.

Etymology

Genus Polygala comes from old Greek words poly meaning 'many' and gala meaning 'milk', because people long ago used these plants to help cows give more milk and so called them 'milkwort'. That's why the group of plants today is named Polygala, a name that points to that old use.