Some aspects of tissue accumulation and tolerance to available heavy metal ions by Rubus Fruticosus L., A Colonizer of spoil tips in S.W. England

In the Tamar Valley of South West England are a number of metalliferous spoil tips. The tips have little vegetation due mainly to a substratum possessing adverse characteristics—a high concentration of metalions, a low nutrient status, rapid drainage and pronounced localised instability. Many of the tips have been colonised by Rubus fruticosus L. (blackberry), and its ecology is described. Clonal plants were utilised in field and glasshouse experiments, and metal uptake examined. Rubus fruticosus L. was noted to be tolerant of high concentrations of metal ions, and also to accumulate them. A trend towards xeromorphism is described.