Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Polygala myrtifolia L., Sp. Pl. 703 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Sweet pea shrub
 Description

Perennial much-branched shrub up to 2 m high. Young stems with short curly hairs, glabrous when older. Lvs all alternate, glabrous or very sparsely hairy, elliptic to obovate, obtuse or rarely slightly retuse, entire, (10)–15–30–(35) mm long; petioles 1–2 mm long. Fls clustered in short, simple, terminal racemes; perianth coloured or veined purple toward apex; pedicels 5–8 mm long; bracts suborbicular, 2–3 mm long, persistent; 3 outer sepals ovate, 5–7 mm long; wings petaloid, ovate-orbicular, c. 15–17 mm long, slightly > corolla; outer petals 2-lobed, c. ?-1/4 length of keel; keel with a fimbriate crest near apex. Capsule glabrous, c. 10 mm long with a marginal wing c. 1 mm wide, c. ⅔ length of persistent calyx wings; seeds hairy, dark brown, oblong, c. 5 mm long; strophiole 3-lobed.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Jan.–Dec.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Biosecurity New Zealand 4 Aug 2011: Unwanted Organisms Register. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/uor
Biosecurity New Zealand 2008: National Plant Pest Accord. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Wellington.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Ministry for Primary Industries 23 Feb 2017: Unwanted Organisms Register. Version 02.01.02. https://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor