Genetic variability in commencement of flowering in Medicago lupulina L. in the South Island of New Zealand

Summary

Variability in date of commencement of flowering was investigated in Medicago lupulina L. from different localities in the South Island of New Zealand. The character was strongly inherited, and genetic differences between and within populations from different localities were demonstrated.

Although the species is classified as predominantly self-fertilising, the level of heterozygosity found suggests that outcrossing was not uncommon in natural populations.