Heavy Metal Tolerance in Typha Latifolia without the Evolution of Tolerant Races

Clones of the broad—leaved cattail (Typha latifolia L.) and soil samples were obtained from near a zinc smelter and from a control location. In the smelter location, soil zinc concentration was 385 times higher, cadmium content 37 times higher, and lead content 16 times higher. No evidence for the evolution of heavy metal tolerance could be detected in 2 x 2 experiments in which genotypes from both locations were grown on both soils. Growth of genotypes from both locations was inhibited on the heavy metal soil, but not to the extent that would be expected from previous studies of heavy metal effects. This is the first case described in which a species has been able to colonize heavy metal soils in the absence of the evolution of tolerant races.