Polygala erioptera DC.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Entrance path to Khodzue Caves, Cheringoma.

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Synonyms:	Polygala linearis R. Br. Polygala triflora sensu Oliv.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Annual herb, branching from near the base, 10-40 cm high. Leaves linear-oblong-elliptic to narrowly oblong-elliptic, 8-30 mm long, densely crisped pubescent. Flowers solitary or in few-flowered lateral racemes up to 1 cm long, mostly greenish-white with a green stripe down the centre of the wing sepals, sometimes pale pinkish with a darker keel, wings densely pubescent. Capsule ovate-oblong in outline, up to 4 mm long, pubescent at the margins.
Notes:	Previously described subtaxa are no longer recognized.
Derivation of specific name:	erioptera: with woolly wings, referring to the densely hairy wing sepals.
Habitat:	In grassland, on sandy or muddy roadsides and occasionally as a weed in cultivated ground. Mostly at lower altitudes.
Altitude range:	Up to 1300 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical Africa, Egypt, northern South Africa and tropical Asia.
Mozambique distribution:	M
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Friday 28 July 2023
Literature:	Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 227. Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 29. As Polygala erioptera Exell, A.W. (1960). Polygalaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Page 316. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 185. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 67. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 84. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 93.

Other sources of information about Polygala erioptera:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Polygala erioptera
Flora of Burundi: Polygala erioptera
Flora of Malawi: Polygala erioptera
Flora of Zambia: Polygala erioptera
Flora of Zimbabwe: Polygala erioptera

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Polygala erioptera
African Plant Database: Polygala erioptera
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Polygala erioptera
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Polygala erioptera
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Polygala erioptera
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Polygala erioptera
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Polygala erioptera
JSTOR Plant Science: Polygala erioptera
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Polygala erioptera
Plants of the World Online: Polygala erioptera
Tropicos: Polygala erioptera
Wikipedia: Polygala erioptera