Phylogeny and biogeography of <i>Polygala</i> (Polygalaceae)

Abstract We estimated phylogenetic relationships of Polygala inferred from nrITS, matK‐trnK , trnL intron, trnL‐trnF intergenic spacer, and rbcL sequence data, with emphasis on the New World clade. Our results did not support the New World and Old World clades as sister groups in Polygala . Relationships among Polygala and allied genera are being discussed, with the recovered clades compared to those of the current taxonomic delimitations. A biogeographic analysis using an ultrametric phylogenetic tree and calibrated with the fossil Paleosecuridaca as well as a reconstruction of the ancestral area are also provided.