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.

Unique flora have evolved on serpentine soils, especially adapted to survive severe hardships of drought, heavy metals, and nutrient stress. The Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains of northwest California and southwest Oregon are the largest serpentine area in North America.

Serpentine soils are characterized by a pH of 6–8, low Ca and high Mg, and low levels of N, P, and K. The severely deficient levels of N, P, K, and Ca lead to most serpentine soils inhospitable to normal terrestrial plants (Nicks and Chambers, 1995; 1998). Addition of fertilizers such as N, P, K, and moderate amounts of Ca to soil, may not ...

Dec 30, 2019 · The Serpentine Grasslands had not always been rare and endangered. Indeed, serpentine soils extended for quite an area in the Maryland-Pennsylvania region. So, what happened to this habitat that made it so rare today? Ecologists and historians can help us …

Feb 25, 2014 · Serpentine soils are weathered products of a range of ultramafic rocks composed of ferromagnesian silicates. Serpentine more accurately refers to a group of minerals, including antigorite, chrysotile, and lizardite, in hydrothermally altered ultramafic rocks.

Formed deep within the earth's mantle, serpentine rocks found their way to the surface over millennia. Unique flora have evolved on serpentine soils, especially adapted to survive severe hardships of drought, heavy metals, and nutrient stress.

Feb 1, 2014 · Serpentine soils are a model system for the study of plant adaptation, speciation, and species interactions. Serpentine soil is an edaphically stressful, low productivity soil type that hosts stunted vegetation and a spectacular level of plant endemism.

Feb 13, 2025 · Soils with serpentine geology are toxic for plants. Learn how plants have evolved to survive and even thrive in these harsh conditions.

Feb 28, 2023 · Serpentine soil is a rare habitat where native plants thrive. Learn more about it, and where you find it on Bay Area hikes.

Sep 11, 2024 · 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.