Puna: A Surrealistic Landscape in the Argentinean Highlands

Abstract

The Puna is an extensive highland, or high mountain plateau, typical of the central area of ​​the cordillera de los Andes. The vegetation is substantially affected by the climatic conditions. The dominant flora is the shrub steppe with dispersed bushes. Local edaphic microclimates determine the existence of small sectors with different physiognomies. The species Acacia caven (Molina) Molina var. caven, Chenopodium ambrosioides L, Anemia tomentosa (Savigny) Sw. var. anthriscifolia (Schrad.) Mickel, Plantago australis Lam. subsp. Australis, and Alternanthera pungens Kunth. that grow in the region are described in respect to their botanical characteristics, ethnomedical uses, chemicals, biological activity, toxicity, and establishment of in vitro cultures and legal status, when corresponding.