A multivariate and cladistic study of Vicia L. ser. Vicia (Fabaceae) based on analysis of morphological characters

Abstract

Vicia ser. Vicia, which includes the Vicia sativa aggregate, was studied by observing morphological variation. The study is an attempt to resolve the taxonomic relationships within the Vicia sativa aggregate by novel investigations along with a synthesis of the results obtained by previous researchers. The study has included some accessions and characters used previously, but has drawn accessions from a wider geographical range than has been attempted previously. Cluster analysis on the basis of 53 morphological characters justified the delimitation of four species within the series and six subspecies within the Vicia sativa aggregate. Accessions from South Asia could easily be incorporated in the classification, but some of the accessions from North Africa showed morphological differences. The morphometric data were coded using the gap weighting method of Thiele (1993) and used in a phylogenetic analysis to study the relationships between the taxa. The phylogenetic analysis, using 33 variables, showed Vicia pyrenaica closely related to Vicia sativa subsp. amphicarpa. A dichotomous key and a multi-access key to aid the identification of the taxa in the series are presented.