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Specimens of Macroptilium species from the main Argentine herbaria were examined, as well as field collections of the authors. Collection sites (519 entries) were identified according to latitude, longitude, altitude, temperature and rainfall. Climatic regions and distribution maps for each species are presented: M. bracteatum; M. erythroloma; M. fraternum; M, panduratum (syn. M. geophilum); M. lathyroides; M. gracile (syn. M. longepedunculatum); M. prostratum; and M. psammodes. Outstanding features of their habitats are detailed. Collections concentrate mainly in 2 rather humid areas: one in the north-west associated with orographic rains; and the other in the north-eastern alluvial plains. Collections in the great semi-arid Chaquena province are scarce, and not frequent in the more desert-like regions in the north-west. This information should allow better germplasm collection and be an aid to further domestication of this valuable genus for forage purposes.