VINCENT, MICHAEL A.* AND KARA M. SHOCKEY. Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056. - Is Trifolium polymorphum native to North America or introduced?
Trifolium polymorphum has been used in a broad sense by Zohary
and Heller in their 1984 monograph to include a wide range of both
geographical and morphological variation. We have determined, in a
morphometric study, that the broad circumscription encompasses
several species, which have distinct morphological and geographical
ranges. One species has an unusual disjunct distribution between
northern Chile and south-central United States. The Chilean portion
has traditionally been called Trifolium polymorphum, while the
North American portion has been called Trifolium amphianthum
by many authors. There is no morphological hiatus between these
portions, and we believe that they represent a species in its native
range and an introduction in the North American range. The correct
name for this entity, as well as evidence that it is introduced into
North America, are presented.
Key words: Fabaceae, North America, South America, Trifolium amphianthum, Trifolium polymorphum