Calcicole

A calcicole, calciphyte or calciphile is a plant that thrives in lime rich soil. The word is derived from the Latin 'to dwell on chalk'. Under acidic conditions, aluminium becomes more soluble and phosphate less. As a consequence, calcicoles grown on acidic soils often develop the symptoms of aluminium toxicity, i.e. necrosis, and phosphate deficiency, i.e. anthocyanosis (reddening of the leaves) and stunting.

A plant that thrives in acid soils is known as a calcifuge.

A plant thriving on sand (which may be acidic or calcic) is termed psammophilic or arenaceous (see also arenite).

Examples of calcicole plants

 * Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.)
 * Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
 * Buddleja
 * Lilac (Syringa)
 * Beet
 * Clematis
 * Sanguisorba minor
 * Some European orchids
 * Some succulent plants genera Sansevieria and Titanopsis or cacti genus Thelocactus.
 * Calcicolous grasses