Gypsum-exclusive plants accumulate more leaf S than non-exclusive species both in and off gypsum

Gypsum-exclusive species (gypsophiles), are restricted to gypseous soils in natural environments. However, it is unclear why gypsophiles display greater affinity gyspeous than other soils. These plants edaphic endemics, growing alkaline with high Ca and S. Gypsophiles tend show higher foliar S, lower K and, sometimes, Mg non-exclusive gypsum species, named gypsovags. Our aim was test if the unique leaf elemental signature of could be result special nutritional requirements linked their specificity hamper completion life cycle growth soil types. To this hypothesis, we cultivated five gypsovags dominant Spanish outcrops on calcareous (non-gypseous) field for 29 months. We regularly measured phenology, differences traits, final biomass, individual seed mass, viability, photosynthetic assimilation composition. found all studied were able complete non-gypseous soil, producing viable seeds, attaining biomass displaying rates soil. The composition some (both gypsovags) shifted depending although none them showed deficiency symptoms. Regardless type, had Mg, Fe, Al, Na, Mn, Cr Consequently, have a chemical compared same family, particularly due S regardless conditions. these nutrient not sufficient explain