The aim of this research was to analyze genetic polymorphism between nine wild species and three cultivars of rye (genus <em>Secale</em> L.). The genetic polymorphism was assessed by means of the RAPD method (random amplified polymorphic DNA). The coefficients of genetic similarity between the species were calculated on the basis of amplified products and they were presented in a dendrogram. The highest genetic similarity was found between the <em>Secale cereale</em> ‘Amilo’ and <em>S. cereale</em> ssp. <em>ancestrale</em> ecotype 30226 (70%), whereas the lowest genetic similarity was observed between <em>S. sylvestre</em> and <em>S. cereale</em> ssp. <em>dighoricum</em> (33%). The results indicate considerable usefulness of the wild species for crossbreeding with the cultivars of the genus <em>Secale</em> and as genetic resources for breeding programs.