Galax is a genus of flowering plants in the family Diapensiaceae, commonly known as wandplant, wandflower, or beetleweed. The genus contains a single species, Galax urceolata, which is native to the southeastern United States.
The plant primarily grows in shaded forest areas within the Appalachian Mountains at altitudes reaching up to 1,500 meters. Its geographic range extends from Massachusetts and New York in the north down to northern Alabama in the south.
Galax urceolata can occur at multiple ploidy levels, including diploid (2x), triploid (3x), and autotetraploid (4x) types. While these cytotypes are not morphologically or geographically distinct, there are slight climatic differences between the diploid and autotetraploid varieties, though outcrossing between them is likely to occur.