This is a perennial plant, the base of the stems are woody and buds overwinter at ground level or just beneath the surface. Many erect branches arise from the base
Narrow lanceolate leaves arise alternately along erect, unbranching flower stems, getting larger towards the tip.
The delicate flower spikes range in colour from blue through pink to purple (hence the Irish name; Three Sisters) and have an unusual structure. The two prominent wings that close around the flower in bud and after flowering are in fact modified sepals with petal-like appearance and have a deeply coloured midrib. 2 tiny petals are attached to a tube formed of the stalks of 8 stamens, The other prominent feature is the delicately-fringed lip petal, looking almost insect like when fully open.
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According to Classical and Renaissance writers common milkwort was used medicinally as an infusion to increase the flow of a nursing mother's milk. The scientific name Polygala is taken from the Greek poly meaning much or many and gala meaning milk.
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inflorescence spike with blue colour and showing insect-like appearance of petal fringe and petal-like sepals with distinct mid-rib
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Stem with inflorescence spike showing alternate arrangement of narrow lanceolate leaves
White
Yellow
Blue
Red
Other
• Backwater
• Marsh
• Damp Grasslands
•Scrub
• Cultivated Fields
• Wayside 
• Dry Grasslands
• Woodland
This is a perennial plant, the base of the stems are woody and buds overwinter at ground level or just beneath the surface. Many erect branches arise from the base
Narrow lanceolate leaves arise alternately along erect, unbranching flower stems, getting larger towards the tip.
The delicate flower spikes range in colour from blue through pink to purple (hence the Irish name; Three Sisters) and have an unusual structure. The two prominent wings that close around the flower in bud and after flowering are in fact modified sepals with petal-like appearance and have a deeply coloured midrib. 2 tiny petals are attached to a tube formed of the stalks of 8 stamens, The other prominent feature is the delicately-fringed lip petal, looking almost insect like when fully open.