KEY TO THE SPECIES Of THE POLYLEPIS SERICEA 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.

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

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

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

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.