Senega
Senega lutea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Genus: Senega
(DC.) Spach
Synonyms[1]
List
  • Anthalogea Raf. nom. rej.
  • Corymbula Raf. nom. rej.
  • Galypola Nieuwl.
  • Leptrochia nom. rej.
  • Pilostaxis Raf. nom. superfl.
  • Pylostachya Raf. nom. rej.
  • Senegaria Raf. nom. rej.
  • Sexilia Raf. nom. rej.

Senega is a genus of flowering plants in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae) native to the Americas, tropical and southern Africa, and Madagascar. It was resurrected from the genus Polygala in 2023.[2] There are about 229 known species in the genus.[3]

Traditional medicine

The North American species Senega officinalis was introduced to Europe in the 1700s and was sold widely by pharmacists into the 1800s.[citation needed] It is toxic in large quantities.

Species

As of July 2026, Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Senega (DC.) Spach". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  2. ^ Pastore, José Floriano Barêa; Martinez, Agustina; Abbott, J. Richard; Neubig, Kurt (2023). "Toward New Generic Delimitations in Polygalaceae II: Senega". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 108: 126–249. doi:10.3417/2023754. hdl:11336/255813.
  3. ^ Pastore, José Floriano Barea; Mota, Michelle (2024). "New species and new combinations of Senega subgenus Senega (Polygalaceae)". Kew Bulletin. 79 (4): 969–985. doi:10.1007/s12225-024-10208-1.


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