Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a highly variable and widely distributed Old‐World perennial forage legume found in wild and naturalized populations throughout temperate regions of Europe, Asia Minor, North Africa, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Understanding the relationships among birdsfoot trefoil morphologic, ecogeographic, and genetic characteristics may provide insights for better utilizing exotic germplasm. The objectives of this research were to (i) compare morphologic and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) classifications of 28 exotic and ecologically diverse genotypes from the USDA National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) birdsfoot trefoil collection, and (ii) determine the relationships between genotype classifications and collecting‐site ecogeographic features. Eighteen morphologic characteristics, 130 RAPD bands, and eight collecting‐site ecogeographic characteristics were used to classify the genotypes. The relatedness of genetic, morphologic, ecologic, and geographic distances among the genotypes was measured using the product moment correlation. Genotype morphology was related to collecting‐site distances from one another and ecologic similarity. Genetic relatedness was also associated with collecting‐site ecology, and specific morphologic characteristics were associated with different ecogeographic features. The similarity between the genetic and ecologic classifications suggested that genotypes adapted to similar habitats, even if geographically distant, have acquired similar phenotypes. Since RAPD descriptors were associated with the ecologic similarity of genotype collecting sites but not with their geographic closeness, classifications of birdsfoot trefoil should rely on both ecogeographic and morphologic characteristics of accessions.

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AbstRAct:Background and Aims: Wild red nanche develops in both temperate and tropical areas. In Mexico, it has been used as an ornamental and medicinal plant since pre-Hispanic times; however, little is known about its morphology. Therefore, the aim of this research was to characterize the morphological quality of fruits and endocarps of red nanche collected in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico. Methods: Three study areas were located, but fruits were found in the municipality of Santiago Matatlán only. These were collected and transferred to the Seed Analysis Laboratory of the Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. For evaluation of the morphological quality of fruit and endocarps, four replications of 100 fruits were selected by Completely Randomized Design (CRD). With the obtained data, an analysis of measures of central tendency was performed using the SAS statistical package. Key results:The results indicated that the fruits of red nanche are large, oblate-shaped, the color of the epicarp is cherry to purple, that of the mesocarp pink to lilac, they taste sweet, and show adequate firmness and quantity of ascorbic acid. The fruit has three fibrous endocarps, is cone to triangular-shaped and has one to two embryos. The embryo is cream colored without endosperm, the cotyledons are bent at the apex and the radicle is present at the other side . It is protected by a thin brown colored integument. Conclusions: Variation was observed in the morphological characteristics. The fruits have food potential and quality for export.

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