The breeding systems of three clovers (Trifolium stellatum, T. tomentosum, andT. campestre) were studied by measuring (a) seed production under forced selfing and crossing, and (b) morphological variation between and within families derived from seeds collected in the field. The results indicate that all three species are both self- and cross-compatible. However, since morphological variation within families was small compared with variation between families, the three species seem to be predominantly inbreeding in the field. This is confirmed by the fact that field populations are genetically heterogeneous and composed of mainly homozygous individuals.
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