Solidago multiradiata, Erigeron aureus, and Adiantum aleuticum in rocky serpentine soil
Serpentine soil is an uncommon soil type produced by weathered ultramafic rock such as peridotite and its metamorphic derivatives such as serpentinite. More precisely, serpentine soil contains minerals of the serpentine subgroup, especially antigorite, lizardite, and chrysotile or white asbestos, all of which are commonly found in ultramafic rocks. The term "serpentine" is commonly used to refer to both the soil type and the mineral group which forms its parent materials.
Serpentine soils exhibit distinct chemical and physical properties and are generally regarded as poor soils for agriculture. The soil is often reddish, brown, or gray in color due to its high iron and low organic content. Geologically, areas with serpentine bedrock are characteristically steep, rocky, and vulnerable to erosion, which causes many serpentine soils to be rather shallow.[1] The shallow soils and sparse vegetation lead to elevated soil temperatures[2] and dry conditions.[1] Due to their ultramafic origin, serpentine soils also have a low calcium-to-magnesium ratio and have low levels of many essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Serpentine soils contain high concentrations of heavy metals, including chromium, iron, cobalt, and nickel.[3] Together, these factors create serious ecological challenges for plants living in serpentine soils.
^ abBrady, Kristy U.; Kruckeberg, Arthur R.; Bradshaw Jr., H.D. (2005). "Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Adaptation to Serpentine Soils". Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 36: 243–266. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.35.021103.105730.
^Kruckeberg, Arthur R (2002). Geology and plant life : the effects of landforms and rock types on plants. University of Washington Press. ISBN 978-0-295-98203-8. OCLC 475373672.[page needed]
^Chiarucci, Alessandro; Baker, Alan J. M. (2007). "Advances in the ecology of serpentine soils". Plant and Soil. 293 (1–2): 1–2. Bibcode:2007PlSoi.293....1C. doi:10.1007/s11104-007-9268-7. S2CID 35737876.
Serpentinesoil is an uncommon soil type produced by weathered ultramafic rock such as peridotite and its metamorphic derivatives such as serpentinite...
rock composed predominantly of one or more serpentine group minerals formed by near to complete serpentinization of mafic to ultramafic rocks. Its name originated...
mathematical curve Serpentine, a type of riding figure Serpentine subgroup, a group of minerals Serpentinite, a type of rock Serpentinesoil, soil derived from...
stenoendemics. Serpentinesoils act as 'edaphic islands' of low fertility and these soils lead to high rates of endemism. These soils are found in the...
Serpentine subgroup (part of the kaolinite-serpentine group in the category of phyllosilicates) are greenish, brownish, or spotted minerals commonly found...
especially), creeks, or near seeps with cold running water, usually on serpentinesoils. It has even been observed growing in drainage ditches or on the sides...
along and above subduction zones. Serpentinesoil is a magnesium rich, calcium, potassium and phosphorus poor soil that develops on the regolith derived...
known by the common name Serpentine Hill raintree. It is native to Puerto Rico. This plant is a shrub that grows on serpentinesoils containing high amounts...
taxa considered to be endemic to serpentine rich soils. Serpentine barrens are distinct due to the serpentine-rich soil produced by the hydration weathering...
Preservation System. The site's protected status is due to the presence of serpentinesoil and over 39 rare, threatened, or endangered plant species along with...
County. A pygmy sargent cypress (Cupressus sargentii) forest, where serpentinesoil stunts growth. Protected within the 1,334 acre Cuesta Ridge Botanical...
Clay County, North Carolina, called the Buck Creek Serpentine Barrens. This is an area of serpentinesoil derived from olivine and dunite that prevent forest...
serpentine areas. Several species of endemic plants are found only on serpentinesoils; these species may be widespread, but only occur on serpentine...
Ecotype Co-cropped with Alyssum montanum and Perennial Ryegrass in SerpentineSoil". Frontiers in Plant Science. 7 (451): 451. doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00451...
in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming; there is a disjunct population on serpentinesoils in Quebec. This fern has leaves on long wiry brown to black petioles...
on ultramafic rock containing magnesium minerals such as serpentine or asbestos. This soil occurs from southwestern Oregon south to the Coast Ranges...
tolerance phylogeny. 18 serpentine tolerant species were found (classified by occurring in whole or in part on serpentinesoils) and the largest presence...
substratum soil types, serpentine, andesite and limestone. Results showed that plant morphology and anatomy varies with soil type. Plants grown on serpentine substratum...
species is categorized as a strict serpentine endemic, meaning that it is almost always found growing on serpentinesoils; however, at least 10 populations...
larva and the plants they feed on occur in non serpentinesoils with similarities to serpentine derived soil. The possible reclassification of Euphydryas...
where it grows in the moist forests of the Coast Ranges, usually on serpentinesoils. This is a perennial herb growing from a thick caudex and varying in...
southwestern corner of Shasta County. It is called the serpentine goldenbush because it grows on serpentinesoil, toxic to many other plants. Ericameria ophitidis...
sunflower and serpentine sunflower. It is native to California and Oregon, where it grows mainly in mountainous areas, often in serpentinesoils. It has been...
coastal redwood forests, forests with dense shrub cover, areas with serpentinesoils, and forested areas with dense understory cover of the U.S. states...
Mexico. It occurs in the chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, often in serpentinesoil formations and hillside grassland habitats. Fritillaria biflora is...
asbestos (chrysotile), an ultramafic rock. It weathers to produce serpentinesoils with characteristically low levels of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus...
habitat. The island also possesses one of the largest outcrops of serpentinesoil in the world, which support an unusual and large community of specialized...
than 240–360 cm (8–12 feet) due to high mineral concentrations in the serpentinesoil. One notable population occurs in the Cedar Mountain Ridge area of...
and coastal grasslands; it can grow in serpentinesoil and shallow, rocky soil. Rhus copallinum tolerates soil pH ranging from 5.3 to 7.5, requires between...
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