A review of the name Polygala trichosperma, including its authority, orthography, and typification, is provided. It is determined that this name was first validly published by Jacquin and not Linnaeus. However, under the Code, the specific epithet's original spelling, trichispermais to be corrected to trichosperma, the spelling originally used by Linnaeus. The name P. trichosperma is lectotypified by a Jacquin specimen at BM.