A taxonomic treatment of the genus Polygala L. was carried out as part of the project "Flora da Paraíba". Botanical identifications and illustrations were based on morphological studies supported by the literature and herbaria revisions, aided by field observations. Eleven species of Polygala were found in the state of Paraíba: Polygala boliviensis A.W. Benn., P. cyparissias A. St.-Hil. & Moq., P. galioides Poir., P. glochidiata Kunth, P. leptocaulis Torr. & A.Gray, P. longicaulis Kunth, P. martiana A.W. Benn., P. paniculata L., P. sedoides A.W. Benn., P. spectabilis DC. and P. violacea Aubl. Apart from P. cyparissias, P. galioides, P. glochidiata, P. spectabilis and P. violacea the other species are newly reported for the State of Paraíba.
Polygalaceae; Polygala; Flora Paraibana; taxonomy; Northeast Brazil
