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 References Plant physiology