Galega Explained

Galega, goat's rue, is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae, native to central and southern Europe, western Asia and tropical east Africa. They are tall, bushy, herbaceous perennials with erect racemes of pea-like flowers in shades of white, pink, blue or mauve. Their preferred habitats are sunny damp meadows or slopes.^[1]

The species Galega officinalis and Galega orientalis are familiar in cultivation. Numerous cultivars and garden hybrids have also been produced, of which G. × hartlandii 'Lady Wilson' (bicoloured blue and white)^[2] and the white-flowered G. × hartlandii 'Alba'^[3] have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[4]

There are 6^[5] to 8^[6] species in the genus.

Eight species are accepted:

• Galega africana
• Galega assyriaca
• Galega battiscombei
• Galega cirujanoi
• Galega lindblomii
• Galega officinalis - goat's rue, professor-weed
• Galega orientalis - fodder galega
• Galega somalensis

Notes and References

1. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
2. https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/134974/Galega-x-hartlandii-Lady-Wilson/Details Galega × hartlandii 'Lady Wilson' AGM.
3. Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Galega × hartlandii 'Alba' . 27 February 2018.
4. Web site: AGM Plants - Ornamental . July 2017 . 39 . Royal Horticultural Society . 27 February 2018.
5. González‐Andrés, F., et al. (2004). Management of Galega officinalis L. and preliminary results on its potential for milk production improvement in sheep. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 47(2) 233-45.
6. Balezentiene, L. Introduction and agro economical value of Galega orientalis Lam. 3rd International Symposium on Weeds and Invasive Plants. Ancona, Switzerland. October 2–7, 2011.