Phytocoenologia 19 (2) 267 - 281 Berlin-Sturtgart, December 17, 1990 The vascular flora and vegetation of granitic outcrops in the upper Cordoba mountains, Argentina by M. Casipo, A. Acosta and S. Diaz, Cordoba with 2 photos, 3 figures and 2 tables Abstract. Granitic outcrop plant communities and flora in the mountains of Cérdoba, Argentina, above 1900 m altitude are described. The outcrops studied present a peculiar set of environmental conditions to which a unigue assemblage of species is associated. A total of 145 species is recorded including 125 angfosperms, 13 pteridophytes and,7 non-vascular species. Four plant communities are distinguished on the basis of species groups distribution. Two of them are dominated by shrubs (Berberis hieronymi and Satureja odora; Heterothala~ mus alienus and Croton argentinus) while the two others are integrated mainly by herb species (Sorghastrum pellitum and Stipa flexibarbata; Crassula peduncularis and Limosella lineata). Both shrub communities are restricted to larger outcrops with more stable condi- tions and deeper soils between the granitic blocks. The Sorghastrum pellitum-Stipa flexi- barbata community inhabits smaller outcrops, with scarce or no soil development which are almost continually exposed to solar radiation. The Crassula peduncularis-Limosella lineata community occurs in granitic depressions where water collects after rainstorms and persists for only a few days, Some floristic relations with other outcrop habitats are discussed. Introduction Granite is exposed in a large part of the mountains of Cérdoba, Central Argentina, and frequently occurs as extensive flat surfaces of rock or as isolated outcrops ranging in size from a few to hundreds of square meters. They present a peculiar set of environmental conditions to which a unique assemblage of species and plant communities is associated. While an extensive literature exists on the grassland and turf communities of the highest vegetation belt of the Cérdoba mountains (CaBIDo 1985; Casipo & Acosta 1986a; CasiDo et al. 1989), little is known about the structure and composition of plant communities of granitic outcrops in the area. The early floristic lists of KURTZ (1886, 1904) and the descriptions of the granitic outcrop communities of the Buenos Aires mountains by FRANGI (1975) are the only contributions to the knowledge of outcrop vegetation occurring in the country. On the other hand, considerable information has been compiled concerning the composition and successional relationships of outcrop plant communities 0340-269X/90/0019-0267 $ 3.75 © 1990 Gebriider Borntraeger, D-1000 Berlin - D-7000 Stuttgart