BLEPHARIS ASPERA WAS COLLECTED FROM A
copper–nickel mineralized area in Botswana
and examined as a possible Cu–Ni indicator
plant for biogeochemical prospecting. Different
plant parts and the host soils were analysed
using ultrasonic slurry sampling
electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.
All plant parts accumulated Cu and Ni in
above-normal amounts, although not in
hyperaccumulator concentrations. The leaf to
soil Cu concentration ratio varied little with
metal concentration in the soil. We propose
Blepharis aspera as a Cu indicator plant.