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Abstract
The two principal genera of Polygalaceae in southern Africa are Muraltia, endemic to Africa south of the Equator, and Polygala with a world-wide range. Muraltia has most of its species concentrated in the south-west, only a few species occurring beyond the Cape region. Polygala has most of its species in the northern part of the area and the numbers diminish towards the south. Muraltia has many of its species confined to the upper mountain slopes whereas Polygala has not a single species of this kind within the Cape area. Outside its main area Muraltia has several species with marked discontinuities in distribution. Polygala does not show this feature. Over 88 per cent of the species of Muraltia have much restricted ranges of distribution. The corresponding figure for Polygala is about 48 per cent. On the other hand within the Cape area Muraltia has few widespread species while Polygala has several. Species of Muraltia have rather restricted ranges of tolerance to climatic conditions. Species of Polygala have a much wider range.
