Polygala amarella

Marsh finial ( Polygala amarella )

The bottom finial ( Polygala amarella ), also called Swamp Milkwort, is a plant from the family of finials plants ( Polygalaceae ).

Description

It is a perennial herbaceous plant that usually reaches stature heights between 5 and 20 cm. The stem grows erect or ascending at the base and has a distinct rosette of leaves. The rosette leaves are spatulate - wrong - egg-shaped or linear- lanceolate. The upper stem leaves are smaller and oblong - ovate to linear inverted - lanceolate shape. The whole plant is bitter taste.

The inflorescence can be more or less loosely be close to. The flowers are zygomorphic. They are usually bright blue or purple colored, rarely completely white. They are about 2 to 3.5 mm long and have a relatively low lobed appendix. The outer sepals are heyday obliquely from forwards. The bottom - Milkwort predominantly flowers from April to June, but it can rarely be found flourishing even up into August.

• Basic rosette
• Cauline

Occurrence

The distribution area of ​​marsh finial extends from temperate Europe through the Balkans to central and southern Russia.

The bottom finial grows in wet meadows and small harrows swamps. But his German name despite it also happens on semi-arid grassland and related companies. The bottom - Milkwort alternating wet preferred chalky substrates.

Polygala amarella is in southern and central part of Germany spread and most frequently found; However, in addition, they usually lack. In Austria you can find this type scattered. In Switzerland, it occurs frequently.

Taxonomy

The bottom finial is very rich in form. Partial subspecies or varieties are distinguished. Currently, two clans are in Central Europe separated, their significance remains to be clarified: Polygala amarella var orbicularis, which differs mainly by circular capsules of the type, and Polygala austriaca ( = Polygala amarella ssp austriaca. ), With, among others, whitish flowers and not (always? ) bitter-tasting plant parts.