Polygala myrtifolia Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 2: 703. 1753.

"Habitat in Aethiopia." RCN: 5143.

Type not designated.

Original material: Herb. Clifford: 353, Polygala 3 (BM) ; Herb. Linn. No. 292.1 (S); [icon] in Plukenet, Amalth. Bot.: 153, t. 437, f. 4. 1705; Almag. Mant.: 153. 1700 - Voucher: Herb. Sloane 94: 52 (BM-SL); [icon] in Commelin, Hort. Med. Amstelod. Pl. Rar. 1: 87, t. 46. 1697; [icon] in Burman, Rar. Afric. Pl.: 200, t. 73, f. 1. 1739.

Current name: Polygala myrtifolia L. ( Polygalaceae).

Note: Levyns (in J. S. African Bot. 21: 19. 1955) indicated 882.14 (LINN) as type, but this collection lacks the relevant Species Plantarum number (i.e. “7”) and was a post-1753 addition to the herbarium, and is not original material for the name. Although Wijnands (Bot. Commelins: 174. 1983) suggested that Herb. Linn. 292.1 (S) would “probably” be a better choice of type, this has not been formally designated.