The taxonomically difficult genus Polylepis (Rosaceae) contains several problematic species complexes, including one around P. sericea. We here reevaluate species boundaries in this complex based on morphological characters and climatic niches. We recognize five species within the P. sericea complex, based primarily on leaf characters: P. albicans (northwestern Peru), P. argentea (central Peru) described here, P. canoi (southeastern Peru to central Bolivia), P. ochreata (Ecuador to southernmost Colombia), and P. sericea (Venezuela to central Colombia). We provide full synonymy, diagnostic notes, lists of selected specimens examined, and a key to the species of the complex.

Polylepis (Rosaceae) is the dominant tree genus in High-Andean forest ecosystems. These ecosystems are severely threatened, but litle is known about their structure and functioning. We provide the first reports of the dasometric structure and spatial distribution of eight forests of Polylepis canoi, P. flavipila and P. rodolfo-vasquezii in the Central Peruvian Andes as fundamental information for management and conservation policies. We sampled all individuals ≥1 cm of diameter at ground level (DGL) in 20 plots of 10x10 m in each forest, and measured total height (TH) and DGL. Also, we mapped the spatial distribution of the individuals in two plots of 30x30 m (X and Y axes). We found differences in the dasometric structure between forests of the same species, which, in some cases, were associated with climate, soil or elevation variables. However, no well-defined pattern was found. The...