Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a highly adaptable forage crop for temperate livestock agriculture. Genetic variation can be identified, via molecular techniques, and used to assess diversity among populations that may otherwise be indistinguishable. Here we have used genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to determine the genetic variation and population structure in red clover natural populations from Europe and Asia, and varieties or synthetic populations. Cluster analysis differentiated the collection into four large regional groups: Asia, Iberia, UK, and Central Europe. The five varieties clustered with the geographical area from which they were derived. two methods (BayeScan and Samβada) were used to search for outlier loci indicating signatures of selection. A total of 60 loci were identified by both methods, but no specific genomic region was highlighted. The rate of decay in linkage disequilibrium was fast, and no significant evidence of any bottlenecks was found. Phenotypic analysis showed that a more prostrate and spreading growth habit was predominantly found among populations from Iberia and the UK. A genome wide association study identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in a homologue of the VEG2 gene from pea, associated with flowering time. The identification of genetic variation within the natural populations is likely to be useful for enhancing the breeding of red clover in the future. Red clover is a forage legume, which is used primarily in temperate livestock agriculture. It declined in importance when industrially produced nitrogen fertiliser became available in the early to mid-20th century; but before that, it and other forage legumes were key to maintaining soil fertility, and providing high protein forage for ruminant livestock 1. However, as we move towards a more sustainable agriculture policy, increased legume use is being encouraged, due to the recognition of their utility 2. This includes increased production potential, especially in mixtures with grasses; environmentally friendly N input into grassland by virtue of their symbiotic N 2 fixation; high protein content, and higher voluntary intake and thus better livestock performance 2. Red clover is a relatively newly domesticated species, and it was not until around 1000 years ago, that it was first intentionally grown in Southern Spain 1. Many of the varieties currently on the market in Europe originate from a Mattenklee type of plant, with their growth habit characterised by tall upright stems. However, some natural populations show varied growth habits, characteristically with less dependency on the central crown and a more prostrate nature to stem growth. Under certain temperature and moisture conditions, stems of these prostrate plants are able to produce nodal root growth 3. The genetics underlying the prostrate growth habit of such red clover ecotypes, as well as the latent disease resistance often associated with natural populations, is of considerable interest for breeding programmes, in terms of furthering t...