Polylepis sericea, Wedd., Wedd.

KEY TO THE SPECIES Of THE POLYLEPIS SERICEA View in CoL COMPLEX

1. Leaflets (2.4)3.4–3.9 X (0.8) 1.1–1.5 cm; hairs of lower leaflet surfaces yellowish, 1.3–1.7 mm long; Peru and Bolivia............ P. canoi W.Mend. View in CoL

1. Leaflets 1.4–2.7 X 0.4–1.0 cm; hairs of lower leaflet surfaces silky, whitish, 0.3–1.2 mm long; Venezuela to central Peru...................... 2

2. Leaflets 5–8 pairs; hairs of lower leaflet surfaces sparse; inflorescences 5.8–20.0 cm long, with (16)21–50 flowers; Ecuador and southernmost Colombia................................................................................................... P. ochreata (Wedd.) Bitter View in CoL

2. Leaflets 3–5 pairs; hairs of lower leaflet surfaces dense; inflorescences 3.9–8.1 cm long, with 5–21 flowers; Venezuela, Colombia, Peru.......... 3

3. Leaflets 4–5 pairs, with crenulate margins; hairs on lower leaflet surfaces 0.3–0.5 mm long; inflorescences with 18–21 flowers; northwestern Peru............................................................................................................... P. albicans Pilger View in CoL

3. Leaflets 3–4 pairs, with entire margins; hairs on lower leaflet surfaces 0.6–1.0 mm long; inflorescences with 5–15 flowers; Venezuela, Colombia, central Peru........................................................................................................................ 4

4. Leaflets (1.9)2.4–2.6 X 0.5–0.7 cm; upper leaflet surfaces with sparse to dense, sericeous hairs; inflorescences 7.2–8.1 cm long; central Peru.......................................................................................................... P. argentea T.Boza & H.Quispe View in CoL

4. Leaflets 1.8–2.1 X 0.8–1.0 cm; upper leaflet surfaces glabrous; inflorescences 3.3–4.5 cm long; Venezuela and Cordillera Central of Colombia..................................................................................................................... P. sericea Wedd. View in CoL