<p><strong>Background:</strong> Background: Morphological characterization studies and determination of the phenological cycle of quinoa in Colombia are scarce, which are necessary for the identification of new planting materials. <strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenological cycle of quinoa materials to identify early and late genotypes; study the morphological characteristics to identify discriminatory descriptors for the genetic improvement of this species in the Department of Cauca. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Fourteen families and three commercial controls (Blanca de Jericó, Aurora, and Tunkahuan) were evaluated in two locations in the department of Cauca under a completely randomized block design with four replications. Twelve phenological stages and 20 morphological descriptors were evaluated. The data were analyzed using an Analysis of Variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test (p&lt;0.05), in addition, a Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed. The information was analyzed with the statistical package “R” version 4.3. <strong>Results:</strong> It was found that the Flia27 family was the earliest in Silvia and Totoró. The clustering analysis based on the 20 morphological descriptors grouped the 17 genotypes into five groups, differentiating the controls from the rest of the 14 evaluated families. The families were grouped to present an architecture with low stature and easy management, compact panicle form, and simple growth habit, in contrast to what was found in the controls which exhibited high stature, lax panicle, and branching up to the lower third. <strong>Implications:</strong> It is necessary to study with more homogeneous materials to determine which characteristics exactly are variable depending on the genotype and which show genotypic stability. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Flia27 was the earliest, making it interesting to be included in a quinoa genetic improvement program. The most discriminatory descriptors were leaf shape, leaf margin, and panicle color.</p>