Polygala sibirica aka Siberian Polygala

Polygala sibirica is a small plant that lives for years. It belongs to the Polygalaceae family. Plants For A Future calls it Yuan Zhi. Its home range runs from Romania across temperate Asia into northern Indo-China. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Records place it in Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Siberia. They also list China, Korea, and the Himalayas. It grows on dry, lime-rich slopes in Ukraine. In the Himalayas, it grows on open slopes. Records there span 5,249–11,811 feet [1,600–3,600 metres].

The plant grows about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] tall. Plants For A Future says its traits can vary quite a lot. The evidence gives no firm width or time to full size. Its flowers have both male and female organs. The sources give no flower colour or bloom time for this species. Nor do they clearly describe its leaves, stems, or fruit. These gaps limit what gardeners can learn about its looks here.

Plants For A Future lists sand, loam, and clay as suitable soils. It calls for good drainage, with dry or moist soil. The listed pH range runs from mildly acid to very alkaline. The species entry lists light shade and full sun. But its longer care notes cover the genus, not this species. The source is unsure how well it withstands British winters. Its home range suggests it may grow outdoors. That does not prove a hardiness rating. The source lists garden beds as a place to grow it.

The source gives several ways to raise new plants. Sow seed in a cold frame in spring or autumn. Move seedlings to their own pots when large enough to handle. Keep them in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out after the last frost you expect. The source suggests late spring or early summer for planting. You can also divide plants to make new ones. Young shoots can provide cuttings in late spring.

Plants For A Future lists cooked young leaves as edible. It also lists cooked roots, but rates food use low. It records past uses of leaves and roots as medicine. These include remedies for kidneys, coughs, and poor sleep. Such records do not prove home treatment safe or effective. The evidence gives no findings on this species' toxicity. It gives no account of its pests or diseases. It lists no other uses and flags no risk of weed spread.