Polylepis sucrense (Rosaceae), a new species from Peru, with an updated key to Peruvian species of Polylepis

Quispe Torres I.; Cuadros-Rojas R.D.; Kessler M.; Quispe-Melgar H.R. · Kew Bulletin (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/s12225-026-10379-z

Resumen

We describe and illustrate a new species of Polylepis endemic to Ayacucho, Peru. It is morphologically most similar to P. incarum but differs in having 1 – 2 pairs of lateral leaflets, slightly larger leaves with a densely tomentose abaxial surface bearing hairs 1.0 – 1.5 mm long and leaflet apices that are tridentate to retuse. The inflorescences are also notably large (3.8 –) 5 – 7.5 (– 12) cm, bearing (5 –) 6 – 11 (– 13) flowers, each with 15 – 26 (– 32) stamens. The fruits have 4 – 7 ridges and 1 – 3 spines. Based on current knowledge, the species has a highly restricted distribution and is under significant threat from ongoing land-use practices, accordingly, we provisionally propose its classification as Critically Endangered. This finding underscores the central Peruvian Andes as an underexplored region of exceptional biodiversity and endemism. To accommodate the recent descriptions of four new species from Peru, we provide an updated taxonomic key to the Peruvian species of Polylepis. © The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina; Universidad Continental; Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga