tufted milkwort
Polygala comosa
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygala_comosa
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fabales
Family
Polygalaceae
Genus
Polygala
tufted milkwort belongs to the family Polygalaceae, order Fabales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Tufted milkwort faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its native range. The species' specialized requirements for nutrient-poor calcareous grasslands make it particularly vulnerable to changes in land management practices and habitat fragmentation.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Tufted milkwort occurs in short, species-rich calcareous grasslands, chalk downs, and limestone pavements, typically on well-drained alkaline soils. The species requires low-intensity grazing or mowing regimes that maintain open conditions and prevent scrubland encroachment.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Tufted milkwort faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its native range. The species' specialized requirements for nutrient-poor calcareous grasslands make it particularly vulnerable to changes in land management practices and habitat fragmentation.
Agricultural intensification and conversion of grasslands
Changes in grazing regimes and abandonment of traditional management
Habitat fragmentation and isolation of populations
Eutrophication from fertilizer runoff
Urban and infrastructure development
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). tufted milkwort (Polygala comosa). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/tufted-milkwort