Phenological Record over Five Continuous Years of the Flora in the Ñacuñán Ecological Reserve, Department of Santa Rosa, Mendoza, Argentina

The phenology of the flora of the Ecological Reserve of Ñacuñán was recorded, located in the center of the Phytogeographical Province of Monte, in Santa Rosa, Mendoza. It has a semi-arid climate with an average rainfall of 310 mm/year, with a markedly summer distribution. The soil is sandy to sandy- loam. The objective was to determine a phenological pattern of growth and development stages that would include the largest number of species in the Monte community. After 54 years of closure, with monthly observations over five vegetative cycles (1979-1984), the stages of vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, fruit maturation, or spiking were recorded for 106 species. On an observation trail, each species had a minimum of 10 observation specimens; when 50% showed signs of growth or development, the corresponding stage was recorded. There were 41 herbaceous species, including grasses. 36 of them are perennial grasses, 25 are woody, and 4 are succulent. 36.8% of the species manifest growth and development during the late spring, summer, and autumn months, coinciding with the concentration of rainfall.