Fig.1.0: Lago Frías and Monte Tronador (3478m) (09.03.2004, late afternoon) The idea underlying the present book was: to provide - The keys for the identi?cation lead to groups which amateurs as well as naturalists with a guide enabling them encompass a maximum of 12 genera or species. Within to identify the native tree species of Argentine Patago- these groups, the illustrations and the descriptions nia (comprising the large area from the Río Colorado to should easily allow to determine the plant in qu- the south) and Chilean Patagonia (taken from Valdivia tion. southwards), as well as about 95% of the arboreal species - The entries on the toxicity and the uses in medicine are introduced into these regions. As far as the text is con- very concise and held in general terms, readers are cerned, a few explanatory remarks may be helpful: referred to the works by Harborne et al. (1999), van Wyk and Wink (2004), Chevallier (2001), Roth et al. - Native species and cultivated pines have received a (1994), and E.H. Rapoport et al. (2003, 2005), resp- somewhat more detailed description than the intro- tively. duced, largely ornamental species. The criterion was - Remarks on the use of the wood and on other uses are to foster the knowledge of the native trees and of based on various sources and on personal observations those species employed for extensive afforestations. and experience.