Polygalaceae

Terrestrial, non-woody (herbaceous) perennials or annuals. Stems erect, running along ground and curved upward at tip, or creeping. Leaves few to many, deciduous or evergreen, clustered in basal rosettes or alternate, distributed mainy toward base, or evenly along stem, simple, leaf edges smooth or with small teeth; stipules none.

Flowers pink to purple, or white, solitary, few, or in dense clusters (racemes, spikes, panicles or heads) at top of stem. Each flower producing both pollen and seeds, and bilaterally symmetrical. Some species produce small underground or above ground flowers that do not open. Petals 3, very unequal, all attached to stamen tube so connected with one another at the base; outer 2 petals similar to each another, but middle petal boat-shaped (keel-like), surrounding stamens and style, usually with a fringe-like crest near the tip. Sepals 5, usually separate, often very unequal, outer 3 small, the inner or side sepals two usually petal-like or wing-like and as large as the petals, persistent or falling off soon after flowering. Stamens 6-8, often fused into a tube that is split open on the upper side. Carpels usually 2, forming 1 pistil; ovary located above point of attachment of other flower parts (superior), with 2 chambers; style 1, not divided. Fruit capsules, with 2 hairy seeds; seeds with a fleshy outgrowth (aril) that aids in dispersal by ants.