any of several plants of the genus Polygala, having small blue, pink, or white flowers with two petal-like sepals: family Polygalaceae. They were formerly believed to increase milk production in cows
See also senega
milkwort in American English
(ˈmɪlkˌwɜrt)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Polygala) of plants of the milkwort family with showy flowers of various colors
adjective
2.
designating a family (Polygalaceae, order Polygalales) of dicotyledonous plants, including thegaywings
Word origin
from the former notion that it increases the secretion of milk in nursing women