Larrea Nitida Research Articles

Potential uses of botanical extracts of Larrea and Grindelia in organic agriculture: Effects on soil properties and functional traits relative to growth

Biostimulants—including botanical extracts—are natural preparations that have no negative effects on environmental health or populations and improve soil health and plant growth. Our objective was to evaluate the use of botanical extracts from two native species of the Patagonian Monte, an infusion of Larrea nitida (5%-L5 and 10%-L10) and a ferment of Grindelia chiloensis (5%-G5 and 10%-G10), on soil properties and the growth of a model plant (Triticum aestivum). While the 5% and 10% Grindelia ferments increased microbial respiration, soil N and C content, and biomass production, the 10% Larrea infusion inhibited microbial respiration and decreased total biomass. The Grindelia ferment has potential for use as a biostimulant in agroecological production, whereas the Larrea infusion does not show potential for such use. The inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds on microbial activity and plant growth should be addressed in future studies.

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of herbal infusions from medicinal plants used in Argentina

Currently, teas and herbal infusions represent an important part of the human diet. Most contain phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity, usually associated with human health protective functions. This attribute defines teas and infusions as nutraceutical foods. In Argentina, several native species are traditionally used for medical purposes. Some of those species are Larrea cuneifolia, Larrea nitida, Grindelia chiloensis, Pteromonnina dictyocarpa, Mandevilla laxa, and Monttea aphylla. The objectives of this study were to analyze the antioxidant power and the scavenging capacity of infusions obtained from those six medicinal plants, to characterize the phenolic profile, and to study in vitro their safety or cytotoxicity. Additionally, the potential use of two infusions as antioxidant additives in a food model was evaluated. The results indicated that the analyzed plant species are rich in phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acid), and flavonoids (e.g., quercetin and kaempferol), with high antioxidant power. The infusion blend obtained with G. chiloensis and L. cuneifolia exhibited the highest value of antioxidant capacity measured with the FRAP technique (193.4 μg EAA/mg DW). On the other hand, L. cuneifolia infusion showed the greatest antioxidant capacity determined by FRAP (131.9 ± 5.2 μg EAA/mg DW) and DPPH assays (0.453 mL/mg s). Additionally, L. cuneifolia infusion showed the highest phenolic content (232.8 μg GAE/mg DW) and flavonoid content (153.3 μg QE/mg DW). None of the infusions showed toxicity in mammalian cells, except for G. chiloensis. Furthermore, the L. cuneifolia and L. nitida infusions showed a high inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation in ground beef (55% and 51% at 4 days of storage, respectively). The results suggest that the studied infusions are safe and a rich source of antioxidants, which supports their use in traditional medicine. However, further exhaustive studies of G. chiloensis infusion are needed to ensure its safety, as it has shown cytotoxicity. Besides, it is worthwhile to advance the study of L. cuneifolia and L. nitida as sources of dietary antioxidants, due to their high antioxidant power and ability to protect against lipid peroxidation.Graphical

Evolutionary importance of the relationship between cytogeography and climate: New insights on creosote bushes from North and South America

Relationships between genome size and environmental variables suggest that DNA content might be adaptive and of evolutionary importance in plants. The genus Larrea provides an interesting system to test this hypothesis, since it shows both intra- and interspecific variation in genome size. Larrea has an amphitropical distribution in North and South American deserts, where it is most speciose. Larrea tridentata in North America shows a gradient of increasing autopolyploidy; while three of the four studied South American species are diploids, Larrea divaricata, Larrea nitida, Larrea ameghinoi, and the fourth is an allopolyploid, Larrea cuneifolia. We downloaded available focal species’ georeferenced records from seven data reservoirs. We used these records to extract biologically relevant environmental variables from WorldClim at 30 arc seconds scale, to have a broad characterization of the variable climatic conditions of both regions, and a climatic envelope for each species. We estimated relative DNA content index and relative monoploid genome values, by flow cytometry, of four most abundant Larrea species throughout their respective ranges. Then we winnow the bioclimatic dataset down to uncorrelated variables and sampled locales, to analyse the degree of association between both intra- and interspecific relative DNA content and climatic variables that are functionally relevant in arid environments using Pearson correlations, general linear and mixed effects models. Within the genus Larrea, relative DNA content increases with rising temperature and decreases with rising precipitation. At the intraspecific level, all four species show relative DNA content variation across climatic conditions. Larrea is a genus that shows genome size variation correlated with climate. Our results are also consistent with the hypothesis that extreme environmental pressures may have facilitated repeated whole genome duplication events in North America, while in South America, reticulate evolution, as allopolyploidization, and speciation might have been climate-dependent since the Oligocene.

Potential use of medicinal plants from Argentinean highland as agent anti-photoaging.

The overexposure to sun ultraviolet (UV) radiation produce photoaging by effect of free radicals on lipid, protein, and nucleic acid or by direct activation of responsible enzymes of cleavage of extracellular matrix components (EMC). To develop new anti-photoaging agents, the anti-aging activity of four "jarillas" standardized extracts from Argentina (Zuccagnia punctata Cav.,Larrea divaricata Cav.,Larrea cuneifolia Cav., and Larrea nitida Cav.) were examined. The effect on the activity and expression of enzymes related to photoaging (collagenase, hyaluronidase, elastase, tyrosinase) and the antioxidant capacity of four "jarillas" extracts were examined. The results suggest that "jarillas" extracts could protect EMC by inhibition of skin aging-related enzymes and suppression of the expression of metalloproteinases (MMP-1) in human skin fibroblasts from photoinduced damage. Modulation of MMP-1 expression induced by UV radiation in human skin cells could be associated, at least in part, with the ROS scavenging capacity of "jarilla" extracts. The extract of Z punctata was more active than Larrea species extracts in all the trials. The activity of Z punctata and Larrea extracts could be ascribed to chalcones and lignans, major constituents of "jarillas," respectively. The results obtained would indicate the potential of these adapted species to live in arid zones of Argentina, exposed to high ultraviolet radiation in production of cosmetic products and justify the promotion of their sustainable use and the development of crops.

Antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of bi-herbal mixtures with medicinal plants from Argentinean highlands

Ethnopharmacological relevanceArgentinean medicinal plants such as Larrea divaricata Cav., Larrea cuneifolia Cav., Larrea nitida Cav., Zuccagnia punctata Cav. and Tetraglochin andina Ciald. are used alone and in combination in traditional medicine by inhabitants from northwestern Argentina to solve mycosis, vaginal infections, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and inflammatory processes.Aim of the study: To assess the effect of interactions between hydroalcoholic extracts of these five species of medicinal plants against yeast strains isolated from vaginal infections, select the most active mixtures and evaluate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Material and methodsSynergy between the plant extracts was studied by using a broth microdilution assay by means of the checkerboard method against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, and non albicans strains. The inhibitory effect on lipoxygenase and the antioxidant capacity in cell-free and cell systems were studied. The chemical profile was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative screening, whereas chemical markers were quantified by HPLC-DAD. ResultsA synergistic antifungal effect was observed in some binary combinations. Z. punctata/L. divaricata, Z. punctata/L. cuneifolia, and Z. punctata/L. nitida were the most active mixtures. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid and 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone, two antifungal compounds, present in these extracts, were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD. Both single extracts and bi-herbal mixtures showed antioxidant activity (in cellular and in cell-free systems) and were active on pro-inflammatory enzymes (LOX). ConclusionsOur results indicated that the most active combinations of these species extracts could be useful in the treatment of vaginal infectious diseases caused by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida spp. strains and in associated oxidative and inflammatory processes, supporting its traditional use. In addition, the results highlighted the phyto-therapeutic potential of total phytochemical compounds present in these medicinal plants.

Active properties of edible marine polysaccharide-based coatings containing Larrea nitida polyphenols enriched extract

The aim of this work was to develop active edible coatings based on marine polysaccharide matrices and polyphenols-enriched native plant extracts from arid and semiarid regions of Argentina. Initially, five plant extracts were characterized in terms of antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral activity and the one with better biological properties and no toxicity or genotoxicity, Larrea nitida (Ln) extract, was incorporated into agar, alginate or agar/alginate matrices. The Ln extract-containing films were characterized in terms of physicochemical and polyphenols release performance in food simulants. The incorporation of Ln extract provided darker films, with a more saturated orange-brownish color and with negligible effects on mechanical and barrier properties. Additionally, all the coatings showed antiviral activity when applied to blueberries against murine norovirus (MNV), a cultivable norovirus surrogate. The coatings of agar and Ln extract was able to reduce the infectivity of MNV below the limit of detection after over-night (ON) incubation at 25 °C and after 4 days at 10 °C storage.These edible polysaccharides coatings containing Ln extract could be an alternative to reduce or eliminate foodborne viruses and protect the food against oxidative process.

Approaches to the mechanism of antifungal activity of Zuccagnia punctata-Larrea nitida bi-herbal combination

BackgroundIn our previous study the synergism of four combinations of Zuccagnia punctata (ZpE) and Larrea nitida (LnE) exudates with the reliable statistical-based MixLow method was assessed, and the markers of the most anti-C. albicans synergistic ZpE-LnE bi-herbal combination were quantified according to European Medicines Agency (EMA). PurposeTo study the mechanisms of action as well as the cytotoxic properties of the ZpE-LnE most synergistic combination found in the previous work. Materials and methodsMinimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) and rate of killing of ZpE-LnE were assessed with the microbroth dilution and the time-kill assays respectively. Morphological alterations were observed with both confocal and fluorescence microscopy on the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The ergosterol exogenous assay, the quantification of ergosterol, the sorbitol as well as glucan synthase (GS) and chitin synthase (ChS) assays were used to detect the effects on the fungal membrane and cell wall respectively. The capacity of ZpE-LnE of inhibiting Candida virulence factors was assessed with previously reported methods. The effect of ZpE-LnE and of ZpE or LnE alone on cell viability was determined on human hepatoma cells line Huh7. ResultsZpE-Ln E was fungicidal killing C. albicans in a shorter time than amphotericin B and produced malformations in S. pombe cells. ZpE-LnE showed to bind to ergosterol but not to inhibit any step of the ergosterol biosynthesis. ZpE-LnE showed a low or moderate capacity of inhibiting GS and ChS. Regarding inhibition of virulence factors, ZpE-LnE significantly decreased the capacity of adhesion to eukaryotic buccal epithelial cells (BECs), did not inhibit the germ tube formation and inhibited the secretion of phospholipases and proteinases but not of haemolysins. ZpE-LnE demonstrated very low toxicity on Huh7 cells, much lower than that each extract alone. ConclusionThe fungicidal properties of ZpE-LnE against C. albicans, its dual mechanism of action targeting the fungal membrane's ergosterol as well as the cell wall, its capacity of inhibiting several important virulence factors added to its low toxicity, make ZpE-LnE a good candidate for the development of a new antifungal bi-Herbal Medicinal Product.

Argentinean Larrea Dry Extracts with Potential Use in Vaginal Candidiasis

Larrea divaricata (Ld), Larrea cuneifolia (Lc) and Larrea nitida (Ln) are shrubs occurring in Northwestern Argentina used in traditional medicine to treat fungal and bacterial infections and as anti-inflammatory. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of several Larrea species has been reported. However, their potential use in vaginal infections has been so far not assessed. The aim of this work was to determine the botanical difference between Larrea species, the chemical composition and the activity of Larrea dry extracts (DE) on Candida species isolated from vaginal infections and to assess their potential as antioxidant agents because infections are usually associated with oxidative processes. The main botanical difference between Larrea species resides in the morphology and shape of leaf, leaflets and stipules, presence or absence of mucron and rachis, percentage of coalescence of the leaflets. The position and abundance of the sclerenchymatic tissue at the mind vein and petiole transection allows the differentiation of the three species. The profile of phenolic compounds in the Larrea DE was determined. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of DE allowed the identification of 2 flavonoids and 10 lignans. Trihydroxy-6,7′cyclolignan was found only in L. divaricata and dihydroxy-methoxy-epoxylignan in L. cuneifolia and L. nitida, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) was found in the three species. All extracts showed antioxidant capacity. The DE showed to be effective against Candida albicans and non-albicans strains. According to our results, the local vaginal use of Larrea DE in the concentration range of MIC values for Candida species does not affect the Lactobacillus normal vaginal microbiota. This work adds evidence to the potential use of Larrea DE as phytomedicine in vulvovaginal candidiasis with multiple effects, including antifungal and antioxidant activity.

Spiroketones and a Biphenyl Analog from Stems and Leaves of Larrea nitida and Their Inhibitory Activity against IL-6 Production.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation for the stems of leaves of Larrea nitida Cav., using interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitory assay in human mast cells (HMC-1), led to the isolation of three new compounds with an unprecedented skeleton in nature (1–3) and three known compounds (4–6). Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analysis. The three new compounds were elucidated as two new spiroketones, nitidaones A (1), and B (2) and one new biphenyl analog, nitidaol (3). The known compounds were identified as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (4), 7,3′,4′-tri-O-methylquercetin (5) and ayanin (6). All the isolates were tested for their inhibitory activity against IL-6 production in HMC-1 cells. Of them, compounds 1, 3–6 showed potent anti-inflammatory activity, with IC50 values of 12.8, 17.5, 14.9, 22.9, and 17.8 µM, respectively.

Isoguaiacins, Arylnaphthalene Types Identified as Novel Potent Estrogenic Signaling Molecules from Larrea nitida

In our study on the biological activities of isoguaiacins, we demonstrated lignans with a rigid structure from Larrea nitida as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Estrogenic activity‐guided isolation of the L. nitida extract led to the identification of four lignans compounds. All four lignans displayed high binding affinity for human estrogen receptor (hER) α and β as well as transcriptional activities for estrogen response element (ERE). Furthermore, arylnaphthalene type lignans 1 (5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐5‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐6,7‐dimethylnaphthalene‐2,3‐diol) and 2 (5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐5‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐6,7‐dimethylnaphthalene‐2,3‐diol) showed especially high potencies for ERβ and ERE with IC50 of 0.045 and 0.85 μM, respectively. Arylnaphthalene type lignans 1 and 2 and bibenzyl butane type lignans 3 (4‐(4‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dimethylbutyl) benzene‐1,2‐diol) increased the proliferation of MCF‐7 cells and the ERα target gene pS2 . Our results indicate that the four active lignans have selective affinities for hERβ and exhibit SERM properties. For the first time, we have discovered the estrogenic activities of isoguaiacins from L. nitida, which are promising candidates for the treatment of estrogen‐related conditions and warrant further preclinical evaluation.

Synergistic mutual potentiation of antifungal activity of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. and Larrea nitida Cav. extracts in clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

BackgroundZuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) and Larrea nitida Cav. (Zygophyllaceae) are indistinctly or jointly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of fungal-related infections. Although their dichloromethane (DCM) extract have demonstrated moderate antifungal activities when tested on their own, antifungal properties of combinations of both plants have not been assessed previously. PurposeThe aim of this study was to establish with statistical rigor whether Z. punctata (ZpE) and L. nitida DCM extract (LnE) interact synergistically against the clinically important fungi Candida albicans and Candida glabrata and to characterize the most synergistic combinations. Study designFor synergism assessment, the statistical-based Boik's design was applied. Eight ZpE–LnE fixed-ratio mixtures were prepared from four different months of 1 year and tested against Candida strains. Lϕ (Loewe index) of each mixture at different fractions affected (ϕ) allowed for the finding of the most synergistic combinations, which were characterized by HPLC fingerprint and by the quantitation of the selected marker compounds. MethodsLϕ and confidence intervals were determined in vitro with the MixLow method, once the estimated parameters from the dose–response curves of independent extracts and mixtures, were obtained. Markers (four flavonoids for ZpE and three lignans for LnE) were quantified in each extract and their combinations, with a valid HPLC–UV method. The 3D-HPLC profiles of the most synergistic mixtures were obtained by HPLC–DAD. ResultsThree over four IC50ZpE/IC50LnE fixed-ratio mixtures displayed synergistic interactions at effect levels ϕ > 0.5 against C. albicans. The dosis of the most synergistic (Lϕ = 0.62) mixture was 65.96 µg/ml (ZpE = 28%; LnE = 72%) containing 8 and 36% of flavonoids and lignans respectively. On the other hand, one over four IC50ZpE/IC50LnE mixtures displays synergistic interactions at ϕ > 0.5 against C. glabrata. The dosis of the most synergistic (Lϕ = 0.67) mixture was 168.23 µg/ml (ZpE = 27%; LnE = 73%) with 9.7 and 31.6% of flavonoids and lignans respectively. ConclusionsStudies with the statistical-based MixLow method, allowed for the finding of the most ZpE–LnE synergistic mixtures, giving support to a proper joint use of both antifungal herbs in traditional medicine.

The Introduction of Wheat in Mendoza, Argentina During the Sixteenth Century A.D.: Archaeobotanical Evidence

During the colonial era, southern Mendoza, Argentina, functioned as a frontier where indigenous and Spanish-speaking people interacted. Contact caused major transformations to indigenous economic, social, and political organization. Archaeological analysis is fundamental to understanding the characteristics of local indigenous populations that rapidly incorporated European products into their diets. Analysis of archaeological remains from the region, therefore, can cast light on important aspects of Spanish-indigenous interactions. The aim of this work is to describe the archaeobotanical record of Cueva de Luna—located in the Rio Grande Valley and containing occupations dated between ca. 3800 B.P. and European contact—and to understand how plants were exploited by the inhabitants of southern Mendoza. Preliminary analysis of the archaeobotanical record, consisting primarily of seeds and woody endocarps in a dry state of preservation, indicates the use of native wild taxa, among which algarrobo (Prosopis sp.), molle (Schinus polygamus), solupe (Ephedra), and jarilla (Larrea nitida) abound. American cultivars including beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are also present. Significantly, the record includes Eurasian taxa, including wheat (Triticum sp.) and walnut tree (Juglans sp.). The Cueva de Luna record is important in this regard for it may correspond to the nineteenth century, when the area was inhabited by what may have been the last indigenous Pehuenche group preceding the current ranchers. Our results provide a basis for future work related to change and continuity in the prehistoric use of plants.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulation by Larrea nitida on MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Immature Rat Uterus.

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for hERα and hERβ with IC50 values of 1.20 ×10−7 g/ml and 1.00×10−7 g/ml, respectively. LNE induced 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on hER α and β than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for hERβ than hERα, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.

Argentinean Andean propolis associated with the medicinal plant Larrea nitida Cav. (Zygophyllaceae). HPLC–MS and GC–MS characterization and antifungal activity

The chemical profile and botanical origin of Andean Argentinian propolis were studied by HPLC–ESI–MS/MS and GC–MS techniques as well as the antifungal activity according to CLSI protocols. Dermatophytes and yeasts tested were strongly inhibited by propolis extracts (MICs between 31.25 and 125μg/mL). The main antifungal compounds were: 3′methyl-nordihydroguaiaretic acid (MNDGA) 1, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) 2 and a NDGA derivative 3, showing strong activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and Microsporum gypseum (MICs between 15.6 and 31.25μg/mL). The lignans 1 and 2 showed activities against clinical isolates of Candidas spp., Cryptococcus spp., T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes (MICs and MFCs between 31.25 and 62.5μg/mL). The lignan and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profiles from propolis matched with those of exudates of Larrea nitida providing strong evidences on its botanical origin. These results support that Argentinian Andean propolis are a valuable natural product with potential to improve human health. Six compounds (1–6) were isolated from propolis for the first time, while compounds 1 and 3–6 were reported for first time as constituents of L. nitida Cav.

ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF LIGNANS AND FERULIC ACID FROM THE RESINOUS EXUDATE OF LARREA NITIDA

From the resinous exudate of twigs end leaves of Larrea nitida, two lignans nor isoguaiacine 1 and meso-nor-dihydroguaiaretic acid 2 and ferulic acid 3 were isolated. The antioxidant activities of resin and pure compounds were assesed by bleaching of the ABTS derived radical-cation

Isozyme variation in Larrea ameghinoi and Larrea nitida (Zygophyllaceae): genetic diversity and its bearing on their relationship.

Electrophoretic variants for 11 isozyme systems were examined by horizontal polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis in natural populations of Larrea ameghinoi and L. nitida (section Larrea). The two taxa presented fixed alternative allelic variants at loci Adh-1, Gdh-1 and Mdh-1. Genetic variability estimates showed no statistically significant differences among populations of section Larrea (He: 0.097-0.167). However, these values were significantly lower than those reported for species of section Bifolium (L. divaricata, diploid L. tridentata) in a previous contribution (He: 0.17-0.29). Positive and highly significant Wright's fixation indices are in agreement with higher amounts of inbreeding for L. nitida and L. ameghinoi, as suggested on the basis of floral morphology by previous authors. Moreover, the higher levels of genetic differentiation obtained for conspecific populations of section Larrea as compared to those of section Bifolium are also consistent with these observations. Nei's genetic identity values obtained for sympatric (I = 0.80) and allopatric (I = 0.63-0.73) L. ameghinoi - L. nitida population pairs are concordant with those expected for different, but closely related congeneric species.

La Vegetación de los Altos Andes Centrales: Bardas Blancas-Paso Pehuenche (Malargüe, Mendoza, Argentina)

Se estudió la vegetación entre Bardas Blancas y Paso Pehuenche en el Sur Mendocino a fin de obtener información florístico-ecológica de las comunidades vegetales andinas. Se trabajó en un gradiente altitudinal de 1420 a 2800 m s.n.m. y se utilizó el método fitosociológico. Se describen las principales comunidades vegetales que surgen de los análisis de tablas comparativas de relevamientos. Se revela a 19 comunidades vegetales, incluídas las vegas de altura y baja altura, y 24 grupos florísticos caracterizadas por especies diagnósticas, exclusivas, preferenciales y acompañantes. El análisis de dispersión y de conglomerados jerárquicos reafirma las estrechas relaciones de las comunidades vegetales con las temperaturas y altitudes. El análisis corológico identifica a 2 provincias fitogeográficas: Patagonica y Altoandina. Hay una relación florística-ecológica con los ambientes fitogeográficos y las formas de vida. El estudio fitosociológico determina a 3 pisos de vegetación: 1- de los matorrales de Neosparton ephedroides, Larrea nitida, Colliguaja integerrima y Fabiana imbricata, 2- de los matorrales de Adesmia volckmannii, Chuquiraga oppositifolia, Adesmia pinifolia y Adesmia obovata y 3-. de las estepas de Azorella monantha, Nassauvia revoluta, Empetrum rubrum y Ochetophila nana. Los resultados probablemente podrían extrapolarse al N y S del área.