Polygalaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes over 1,000 species. Some common synonyms for this family are the milkwort family, the snakeroot family, and the senega family. Polygalaceae plants are known for their unique flowers, which have a distinctive shape and are often brightly colored. They are also often used for their medicinal properties, with several species being used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Some of the more well-known plants in the Polygalaceae family include senega root (Polygala senega), which is used to treat respiratory problems, and sweet pea (Polygala dalmaisiana), which is popular for its fragrant blooms.