Patagonian Argentina steppe extends from the Andes Cordillera to the Atlantic Ocean, in southern Argentina. This extensive region looks like a succession of plateaus and flat or slightly wavy terraces, roofed by low bushes and grasses.

The vegetation adapts itself to survive the strong winds and the long periods of draughts.

Grasses, such as "coirn", commonly grow as low bushes and they have hard and compact leaves. To protect themselves against the herbivores they grow thorns, resins and essences that make them very unpleasant to eat.

Since this region is so vast -about 750,000 km2-, the pampa-like steppe composition is varied.

Vegetation in the province of Chubut is mainly very sparse and low, leaving 65% of the ground bare; further south, in the province of Santa Cruz, an open steppe makes itself present where the "quilembai" is replaced by the "black bush", a dark foliage bush more than half a meter high.

Higher in the cordillera, the bushy steppe vanishes and gives way to extensive pastures of white "coirn".

The aquatic habitats of the steppe attract a big and intense bio-diversity. Fertile low lands or "mallines" are characterized by the stable presence of water, which allows the growth of a dense green carpet of jonquils and other tender grasses of minor size. They have their unique fauna as well: birds like Seedsnipes and Snipes are prevailing.

Among the bushes with attractive flowers and edible berries, the "calafate" (Berberis Buxifolia) stands out. A legend narrates that whoever dares eat its delicious bays in spite of the long thorns, will return again and again.