Yan, X., Zhao, H., Liu, X., Li, Q., Wang, Y., Yuan, C. and Dong, Y. 2014. Phenotypic traits and diversity of different leaf shape accessions of the wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. et Zucc.) in China. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 397-404. The phenotypic traits and diversity of different leaf shape groups of 6169 wild soybean accessions were investigated. The results included the following conclusions. First, the lanceolate leaf group had the highest genetic diversity. Second, the mean 100-seed weight was highest in the round leaf group (10.1 g); mean maturity time was longest in the eliptical leaf group (142 d); the ovate-round and linear leaf groups had higher mean protein content (45.7-46.1%); and the round leaf group had the highest oil content (16.3%). Finally, frequencies of white flower, high 100-seed weight and other traits in the round leaf group were disproportionately high; in contrast, linear leaf accessions were primarily characterized by purple flower and low 100-seed weight. Based on these results, we inferred that the lanceolate and linear leaves accessions tended to be wild types, while the round leaf group represented more recently evolved accessions. In addition, the accessions with eliptical, ovate-round and other leaves belonged to the intermediate evolutionary types. Our results also suggest that the abundant variation in leaf shape is an important indicator of level of genetic diversity and evolutionary status, which could facilitate the utilization of germplasm evaluation and classification for the wild soybean.