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Abstract
Found in Ecuador and Mexico, Prunus serotina subsp. capuli, commonly called capuli, has important medicinal properties, its fruit is used for human consumption, and it is commonly known due to its high-quality timber used to build high-quality furniture and instruments. No commercial varieties of capuli are available in the world. In Ecuador, all fruit and timber are harvested from wild stands of this subspecies. Few studies have characterized these subspecies. The main goal of this research was to characterize P. serotina subsp. capuli morphological and genetic diversity. Significant variation was reported among different variables related to capuli leaves, flowers, branches, fruit, and endocarp in this study. Its genome size and ploidy level was confirmed to be tetraploid across its geographical range in Ecuador. This research is a foundation step directed towards selection of valuable capuli genotypes to initiate a breeding program for commercial capuli production in the U.S.A. and Ecuador.