Polygalaceae FAMILY

Polygala costaricensis

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Polygala costaricensis is a perennial plant with a woody rootstock and stems that are somewhat woody at the base[ 369 Title Flora of Costa Rica Publication Author Standley P.C. Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago Year 1938 ISBN Description Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet. ]. The plant usually grows 20 - 30cm tall, but exceptional specimens can reach 70cm[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ , 369 Title Flora of Costa Rica Publication Author Standley P.C. Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago Year 1938 ISBN Description Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet. ]. The root is sometimes used medicinally.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeCentral America - Costa Rica to Mexico.

HabitatGrassy places and thickets in Costa Rica[ 369 Title Flora of Costa Rica Publication Author Standley P.C. Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago Year 1938 ISBN Description Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet. ]. Moist or wet thickets or forest, often in pine-oak forest, or in rather dry, exposed, rocky places, sometimes a weed in coffee plantations, at elevations of 150 - 2,100 metres[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ].