Few-branched, erect or spreading shrub up to 1m, sometimes slightly hairy. Leaves are lance-shaped to narrow, leaf margins are slightly thickened or revolute. Flowers are pink, magenta and rarely white, borne in crowded clusters at ends of main branches; one keel-shaped petal has a long white brush-like tip; hairy side petals.

Latin: bractea = thin plate of metal: referring to the conspicuous floral leaflike bracts.

Greek: poly, much; gala, milk: some European species supposedly increased the milk yield in cows.