Avoiding or moving away from calcium or lime; of a plant that cannot thrive in calcium-rich soils.
From Latin 'calcis' (lime) + 'fugal' (fleeing or avoiding, from 'fugere' meaning to flee). A botanical term coined to describe plants with specific soil chemistry needs.
Blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas are calcifugal plants that literally cannot survive in limestone-rich soils—it's like their roots are allergic to calcium, making them impossible to grow in certain regions.
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