Polygala is a large genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Polygalaceae. They are commonly known as milkworts or snakeroots. The genus is distributed widely throughout much of the world in temperate zones and the tropics. The genus name Polygala comes from the ancient Greek “much milk”, as the plant was thought to increase milk yields in cattle. Polygala includes annual and perennial plants, shrubs, vines, and trees. The roots often have a scent reminiscent of wintergreen. The leaf blades are generally undivided and smooth-edged and are alternately arranged in most species. The inflorescence is a raceme or spike-like array of several flowers; the occasional species bears solitary flowers.

Polygala ephedroides, commonly known as Skaap-Ertjie and synonymously known as Polygala genistoides, Polygala genistoides var. ephedroides or Polygala virgata var. genistoides, is a South African indigenous perennial flowering shrublet found in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces, often growing amongst fynbos. Flowering occurs late summer into autumn.