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Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Southeast Coastal Plain and Caribbean Soil Survey Region #15 Go to Accessibility Information
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Ariel Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Well drained
  • Permeability: Moderately slow
  • Parent material: Silty alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Coarse-silty, mixed, active, thermic Fluventic Dystrudepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Ariel series is commonly associated with Arkabutla and Mathiston soils.

  • The somewhat poorly drained Arkabutla and Mathiston soils are in the slightly lower positions on the flood plains.

Typical Pedon

Ariel silt loam, occasionally flooded; about 0.5 mile north of Louisville, 1.0 mile south of Pugh Mill Church; USGS Bradley topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 15 minutes 2 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 54 minutes 11 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 7 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; common fine roots; moderately acid; abrupt wavy boundary.
  • Bw—7 to 28 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) silt loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Eb—28 to 37 inches; pale brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bwxb1—37 to 48 inches; pale brown (10YR 6/3) silty clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; dense and brittle in 30 percent of the matrix; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; few fine black manganese concretions; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bwxb2—48 to 81 inches; pale brown (10YR 6/3) silty clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; dense and brittle in 40 percent of the matrix; common medium faint light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; few fine black manganese concretions; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 or 3
  • Bw horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 or 4
  • Eb horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 2 or 3; chroma of 2 or less is below a depth of 24 inches.
    • Redoximorphic features—few or common masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
  • Bwxb horizon:
    • Color—hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 8; or no dominant matrix color and multicolored in shades of brown and gray
    • Texture—silt loam, silty clay loam, or loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron or clay depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown

Arkabutla Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Silty alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 1 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-silty, mixed, active, acid, thermic Fluventic Endoaquepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Arkabutla series is commonly associated with Ariel, Mathiston, Rosebloom, and Urbo soils.

  • The well drained Ariel soils are in the slightly higher positions.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Mathiston and Urbo soils are in positions similar to those of the Arkabutla soils.
  • The poorly drained Rosebloom soils are in the lower depressional positions on the flood plains.

Typical Pedon

Arkabutla silt loam, frequently flooded; about 0.7 mile northeast of Louisville, south of Town Creek canal; USGS Louisville topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 7 minutes 57 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 2 minutes 13 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 5 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam; weak medium granular structure; friable; many fine roots; moderately acid; abrupt wavy boundary.
  • Bw—5 to 18 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) silt loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; many fine and very fine roots; common medium distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; common medium faint yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; few medium black manganese concretions; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bg1—18 to 40 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) silt loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable, slightly plastic; common medium distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; few black manganese concretions; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bg2—40 to 60 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) silty clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common medium distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) and brown (7.5YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; common fine black manganese concretions; very strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
  • Bg3—60 to 82 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) silty clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; many medium and coarse brown (7.5YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 40 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 to 4
    • Texture—silt loam or loam
  • Bw horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 6; or no dominant matrix color and multicolored in shades of brown, gray, and yellow
    • Texture—silt loam, loam, or silty clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—clay depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
  • Bg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 or less
    • Texture—silt loam, loam, or silty clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown; none to common concretions of iron and manganese oxides

Falkner Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
  • Permeability: Slow
  • Parent material: Thin layer of loess and the underlying clayey sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Stream terraces and broad flats on uplands
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-silty, siliceous, active, thermic Aquic Paleudalfs

Commonly Associated Soils

The Falkner series is commonly associated with Sweatman, Wilcox, and Urbo soils.

  • The well drained Sweatman soils are in positions similar to those of the Falkner soils.
  • The Wilcox soils are in the lower positions and have more clay than the Falkner soils in the upper part of the argillic horizon.
  • The Urbo soils are in the lower positions on flood plains.

Typical Pedon

Falkner silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes; about 2 miles west of the Noxubee County line and northeast 2 miles along a TVA power line; USGS Ferns Spring topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 6 minutes 55 second N. and long. 88 degrees 48 minutes 55 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 4 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many very fine and fine roots; many fine pores; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Bt—4 to 15 inches; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) silt loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine and very fine roots; common faint dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) clay films on faces of peds; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • 2Btg1—15 to 22 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) silty clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; few fine roots; common faint clay films on faces of peds; many medium prominent yellowish red (5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • 2Btg2—22 to 45 inches; light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) silty clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; very firm; common faint clay films on faces of peds; many medium distinct reddish brown (5YR 5/4) and strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • 2Btg3—45 to 60 inches; light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) silty clay; strong medium subangular blocky structure; very firm; many faint clay films on faces of peds; many medium prominent reddish brown (5YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • 2Btg4—60 to 80 inches; light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) silty clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; few faint clay films on faces of peds; many medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 1 to 4
    • Texture—silt loam
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 3 to 6
    • Texture—silt loam or silty clay loam
  • 2Btg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—silty clay loam, silty clay, or clay
    • Redoximorphic features—common or many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow

Guyton Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Poorly drained
  • Permeability: Slow
  • Parent material: Thick, loamy sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Stream flood plains and depressional areas
  • Landform position: Slightly concave slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 1 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-silty, siliceous, active, thermic Typic Glossaqualfs

Commonly Associated Soils

The Guyton series is commonly associated with Savannah and Stough soils.

  • The moderately well drained Savannah soils and the somewhat poorly drained Stough soils are in the higher positions. Both of these soils have a fragipan.

Typical Pedon

Guyton silt loam, occasionally flooded; about 5 miles east of Noxapater and 0.1 mile north of State Highway 490 on the east side of Tallahaga Creek; USGS Vernon topographic quadrangle; lat. 32 degrees 59 minutes 24 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 59 minutes 45 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 7 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine roots; very strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Eg1—7 to 21 inches; light gray (10YR 7/1) silt loam; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; many fine roots; few brown bodies with common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Eg2—21 to 31 inches; light gray (10YR 7/1) loam; fine and weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; slightly brittle; common fine pores; gray silt tongues 1 to 3 inches thick spaced every 4 to 6 inches; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear irregular boundary.
  • Bg/Eg—31 to 41 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) clay loam (Bg); weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak medium subangular blocky; friable; discontinuous clay films on faces of peds; tongues or streaks of gray (10YR 6/1) making up about 15 percent of the horizon; tongues are 1 to 3 inches wide and spaced every 4 to 6 inches; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Btg1—41 to 55 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) clay loam; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak medium subangular blocky; friable; slightly brittle; few thin clay films on faces of peds; few streaks of gray (10YR 6/1) silt; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Btg2—55 to 70 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) clay loam; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak medium subangular blocky; friable; slightly brittle; few thin clay films on faces of peds; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Cg—70 to 81 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay loam; massive; firm; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied and the lower part of the subsoil, which is strongly acid to neutral
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 or 3
    • Texture—silt loam
  • Eg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 to 8, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—silt loam, loam, or very fine sandy loam
  • Btg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6 , and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—silt loam, silty clay loam, or clay loam
  • Cg horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—silt loam, silty clay loam, or sandy clay loam

Jena Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Well drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Loamy alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly convex natural levees
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Coarse-loamy, siliceous, active, thermic Fluventic Dystrudepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Jena series is commonly associated with Kinston, Kirkville, Mantachie, and Mooreville soils.

  • The poorly drained Kinston soils and the somewhat poorly drained Mantachie soils are in the lower positions.
  • The moderately well drained Kirkville and Mooreville soils are in landscape positions similar to those of the Jena soils or slightly lower.

Typical Pedon

Jena loam, in an area of Jena-Kirkville complex, occasionally flooded; about 0.3 mile south of the Oktibbeha County line and 0.5 mile east of State Highway 25 on the north bank of the Noxubee River; USGS Bradley topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 17 minutes 5 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 53 minutes 59 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 4 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) loam; weak medium granular structure; very friable; many fine and medium roots; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bw1—4 to 14 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) silt loam; weak medium granular structure; friable; few fine roots; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bw2—14 to 21 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) fine sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine pores; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bw3—21 to 30 inches; 65 percent light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) and 35 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) fine sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few uncoated sand grains; the areas of yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bw4—30 to 52 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) fine sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common medium distinct pale brown (10YR 6/3) and few fine distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; few pockets of uncoated sand grains; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • C1—52 to 65 inches; 70 percent brownish gray (10YR 6/2) and 30 percent strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) fine sandy loam; massive; friable; the areas of brownish gray are iron depletions, and the areas of strong brown are masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • C2—65 to 80 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) fine sandy loam; massive; friable; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 30 to 65 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except where lime has been applied
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 4
    • Texture—silt loam, loam, or fine sandy loam
  • Bw horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 3 to 6
    • Texture—silt loam, fine sandy loam, or loamy fine sand
  • C horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 6; or multicolored in shades of brown or gray
    • Texture—sandy loam, loamy fine sandy, or fine sandy loam

Kinston Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Poorly drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Stratified loamy sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly concave slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 1 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, acid, thermic Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Kinston series is commonly associated with Jena, Kirkville, Mantachie, and Mooreville soils.

  • The well drained Jena soils, moderately well drained Kirkville and Mooreville soils, and somewhat poorly drained Mantachie soils are in the slightly higher positions.

Typical Pedon

Kinston loam, frequently flooded; about 3 miles north of the Kemper County line and 250 feet north of State Highway 397 along Nanih Waiya Creek; USGS Vermin topographic quadrangle; lat. 32 degrees 57 minutes 43 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 52 minutes 46 seconds W.

  • A—0 to 3 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; few fine and medium roots; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Cg1—3 to 38 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam; massive; friable; few medium roots; few medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
  • Cg2—38 to 60 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) loam; massive; many medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
  • Cg3—60 to 84 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) loam; massive; friable; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • A horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 1 to 3
    • Texture—sandy loam or loam
  • Cg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam or, in the lower part of the horizon in some pedons, sand or gravelly sand

Kirkville Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Moderately well drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Loamy alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Coarse-loamy, siliceous, active, thermic Fluvaquentic Dystrudepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Kirkville series is commonly associated with Jena, Kinston, Mantachie, and Mooreville soils.

  • The well drained Jena soils are in the slightly higher positions.
  • The poorly drained Kinston soils are in the lower positions.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Mantachie soils and the moderately well drained Mooreville soils are in positions similar to those of the Kirkville soils.

Typical Pedon

Kirkville loam, in an area of Jena-Kirkville complex, occasionally flooded; about 3.5 miles west of Plattsburg, Mississippi, 95 feet north of Plattsburg Road; USGS Plattsburg topographic quadrangle; lat. 32 degrees 56 minutes 49 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 14 minutes 26 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 6 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable; many fine roots; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • A—6 to 10 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) loam; weak medium granular structure; friable; many fine roots; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bw1—10 to 18 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; common medium distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; very strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
  • Bw2—18 to 28 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; common medium distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) and grayish brown (10YR 5/2) iron depletions; common black and brown manganese concretions; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bg1—28 to 42 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; many medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) masses of iron accumulation; common fine black manganese concretions; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bg2—42 to 50 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; very friable; few fine roots; many medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) and common medium distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) masses of iron accumulation; common medium black manganese concretions; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Cg—50 to 80 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) fine sandy loam; massive; friable; many medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 30 to more than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except where lime has been applied
  • A and Ap horizons:
    • Color—hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 4
  • Bw horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 6; or mottled in shades of brown and gray
    • Texture—sandy loam, loam, or fine sandy loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few or common masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown and iron depletions in shades of gray
  • Bg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 2 or less
    • Texture—sandy loam, loam, or fine sandy loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
  • Cg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 2 or less
    • Texture—sandy loam, loam, or fine sandy loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown

Lauderdale Series

  • Depth class: Shallow
  • Drainage class: Well drained
  • Permeability: Moderately slow
  • Parent material: Horizontally bedded siltstone
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Hillslopes
  • Landform position: Hillslopes, shoulder slopes, and backslopes
  • Slope: 15 to 35 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Loamy, mixed, active, thermic, shallow Typic Hapludults

Commonly Associated Soils

The Lauderdale series is commonly associated with Smithdale and Sweatman soils.

  • The well drained Smithdale soils are in positions similar to those of the Lauderdale soils.
  • The well drained Sweatman soils are in the lower positions.

Typical Pedon

Lauderdale fine sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes; about 1.0 mile north of the Neshoba County line on State Highway 19, about 1.0 mile northeast on Ryals Road, and 15 feet east into woods; USGS Edinburg topographic quadrangle; lat. 32 degrees 56 minutes 48 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 18 minutes 5 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 4 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine roots; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt1—4 to 10 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) sandy clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; few faint clay films on faces of peds; about 5 percent, by volume, sandstone channers; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt2—10 to 15 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; few faint clay films on faces of peds; about 8 percent, by volume, sandstone channers; few fine mica flakes; strongly acid; abrupt wavy boundary.
  • Cr—15 to 60 inches; stratified layers of weathered sandstone and siltstone; strong thick platy rock structure; level bedded; very firm; few fine roots in fractures; distinct coarse dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation on faces of peds; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 10 to 20 inches
  • Depth to bedrock: 10 to 20 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 3 or 4, and chroma of 1 to 3
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 4 to 6
    • Texture—sandy clay loam, clay loam, or silty clay loam; 2 to 15 percent, by volume, fragments of sandstone, siltstone, or claystone
  • Cr layer:
    • Type of bedrock—weathered claystone, siltstone, or sandstone; level-bedded; can be dug with difficulty and is rippable by light machinery

Maben Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Well drained
  • Permeability: Moderately slow
  • Parent material: Stratified clayey sediments and soft shale
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Uplands
  • Landform position: Narrow ridges and hillslopes
  • Slope: 2 to 35 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine, mixed, active, thermic Ultic Hapludalfs

Commonly Associated Soils

The Maben series is commonly associated with Smithdale, Sweatman, and Wilcox soils.

  • The associated soils are in positions similar to those of the Maben soils.

Typical Pedon

Maben silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes; about 3.5 miles northwest of Louisville, 200 feet northeast of the intersection of State Highways 15 and 25, and 200 feet south of State Highway 25; USGS Louisville topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 9 minutes 18 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 4 minutes 54 seconds W.

  • A—0 to 3 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine and medium roots; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • E—3 to 5 inches; pale brown (10YR 6/3) silt loam; weak medium granular structure; friable; many fine and medium roots; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt1—5 to 19 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm, plastic and sticky; few fine and medium roots; thin continuous clay films on faces of peds; few fine faint yellowish red (5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bt2—19 to 34 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm, plastic and sticky; few fine roots; continuous clay films; many fine pores; common medium distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/6) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • BC—34 to 40 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; soft partially weathered shale fragments; firm; common medium distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • C1—40 to 60 inches; 40 percent red (2.5YR 4/6), 35 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2), and 25 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay; the areas of yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of light brownish gray are iron depletions; thinly bedded claystone or shale and very fine sandy and loamy material; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • C2—60 to 80 inches; stratified layers of red (2.5YR 6/8) soft clayey shale; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 20 to 48 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid
  • A horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 3 or 4
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, sandy loam, loam, or silt loam
  • E horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 to 4; or mottled in shades of brown
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, sandy loam, loam, or silt loam
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 2.5YR or 5YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 4 to 8
    • Texture—silty clay loam, silty clay, clay loam, or clay
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow
  • BC horizon (where present):
    • Color— hue of 2.5YR or 5YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 4 to 8; or mottled in shades of brown, gray, red, and yellow
    • Texture—silty clay loam, silty clay, clay loam, or clay
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow
  • C horizon:
    • Color—multicolored in shades of red, gray, or yellow
    • Texture—stratified fine sandy loam and partially weathered shale fragments, siltstone, or claystone

Mantachie Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Loamy alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-loamy, siliceous, active, acid, thermic Fluventic Endoaquepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Mantachie series is commonly associated with Jena, Kinston, Kirkville, and Mooreville soils.

  • The well drained Jena soils are in the slightly higher positions.
  • The poorly drained Kinston soils are in the lower positions.
  • The moderately well drained Kirkville and Mooreville soils are in positions similar to those of the Mantachie soils.

Typical Pedon

Mantachie loam, occasionally flooded; about 7.2 miles west of State Highway 14 and 0.3 mile south of a gravel road; USGS Louisville topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 6 minutes 10 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 10 minutes 23 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 7 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable; many fine roots; strongly acid; abrupt wavy boundary.
  • Bw—7 to 16 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable; common fine and medium roots; common fine faint brown (10YR 5/3) masses of iron accumulation and few fine distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bg1—16 to 22 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common medium distinct brown (10YR 4/3) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; few fine roots; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bg2—22 to 33 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and few fine distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bg3—33 to 38 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bg4—38 to 61 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common medium distinct brown (10YR 4/3) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • C—61 to 81 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) loam; massive; friable; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 30 to 65 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except where lime has been applied
  • A horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 6; or mottled in shades of brown and gray
    • Texture—loam, fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or silt loam
  • Bw horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 6
    • Texture—loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown and yellow
  • Bg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—common or many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown and yellow
  • C horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam

Mathiston Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Silty alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-silty, siliceous, active, acid, thermic Aeric Fluvaquents

Commonly Associated Soils

The Mathiston series is commonly associated with Ariel, Arkabutla, Rosebloom, and Urbo soils.

  • The well drained Ariel soils are in the slightly higher positions.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Arkabutla and Urbo soils are in positions similar to those of the Mathiston soils.
  • The poorly drained Rosebloom soils are in the lower positions in depressions.

Typical Pedon

Mathiston silt loam, occasionally flooded; about 1.5 miles east of State Highway 25 and 0.5 mile south of the Oktibbeha County line, near the Mississippi State University Experimental Forest; USGS Bradley topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 16 minutes 55 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 52 minutes 5 seconds W.

  • A1—0 to 4 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; common fine pores; common fine and medium roots; few fine distinct grayish brown (10YR 5/2) iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • A2—4 to 8 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine pores; common fine and medium roots; common medium distinct grayish brown (10YR 5/2) iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bg1—8 to 19 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bg2—19 to 34 inches; grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) silty clay loam; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; few fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bg3—34 to 42 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silty clay loam; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; few fine and medium black manganese concretions; few fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bg4—42 to 55 inches; 50 percent grayish brown (10YR 5/2) and 50 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) silty clay loam; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; few fine and medium black manganese concretions; the areas of yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bg5—55 to 80 inches; 55 percent gray (10YR 5/1) and 45 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) silty clay loam; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; the areas of gray are iron depletions, and the areas of yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except where lime has been applied
  • A horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 or 3
    • Texture—silt loam, loam, or silty clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few or common iron depletions in shades of brown or gray
  • Bg horizon:
    • Color—mottled in shades of gray, yellow, and brown; or hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 1 to 4
    • Texture—silt loam or silty clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown and yellow and none to common black and brown concretions

Mooreville Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Moderately well drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Loamy alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Planar to slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-loamy, siliceous, active, thermic Fluvaquentic Dystrudepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Mooreville series is commonly associated with Jena, Kinston, and Mantachie soils.

  • The well drained Jena soils are in the higher positions.
  • The poorly drained Kinston soils are in depressions.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Mantachie soils and poorly drained Kinston soils are in positions similar to those of the Mooreville soils.

Typical Pedon

Mooreville loam in an area of Kinston, Mantachie, and Mooreville soils, frequently flooded, on Hughes Creek, north of Tallahaga Creek; NE1/4NE1/4 sec. 22, T. 14 N., R. 12 E.; USGS Louisville South topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 4 minutes 18 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 4 minutes 16 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 5 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine roots; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Bw1—5 to 25 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine roots; common distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; few fine faint light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bw2—25 to 38 inches; 50 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) and 50 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; few fine black and brown concretions; strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
  • Bw3—38 to 60 inches; 50 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) and 50 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine black and yellowish brown concretions; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 40 to more than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Strongly acid or very strongly acid, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4, and chroma of 3 or 4
    • Texture—loam, silt loam, or fine sandy loam
  • Bw horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 to 8 in the upper part; hue of 10YR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 2 or less in the lower part; or multicolored from iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
    • Texture—loam or silty clay loam
  • Cg horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 or less; or multicolored from iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
    • Texture—loam or sandy loam

Ora Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Moderately well drained
  • Permeability: Moderately slow
  • Parent material: Loamy marine and fluvial deposits
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Upland ridgetops
  • Landform position: Summits, shoulder slopes, and backslopes
  • Slope: 0 to 12 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Fragiudults

Commonly Associated Soils

The Ora series is commonly associated with Providence, Ruston, and Smithdale soils.

  • The moderately well drained Providence soils are in positions similar to those of the Ora soils on stream terraces.
  • The well drained Ruston soils do not have a fragipan and are in positions similar to those of the Ora soils on uplands.
  • The well drained Smithdale soils are in positions similar to those of the Ora soils or lower on side slopes on uplands.

Typical Pedon

Ora fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded; about 4.0 miles southeast of Handle, 1.0 mile west of the Noxubee County line, and 20 yards south of a gravel road; USGS Preston topographic quadrangle; lat. 32 degrees 57 minutes 00 seconds N. and long. 82 degrees 50 minutes 13 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 3 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) fine sandy loam; weak fine and medium granular structure; very friable; many fine and coarse roots; very strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • E—3 to 6 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) fine sandy loam; weak fine and medium granular structure; very friable; few fine roots; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt—6 to 18 inches; yellowish red (5YR 5/8) loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; many fine roots; few faint clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Btx1—18 to 28 inches; 40 percent yellowish red (5YR 5/8), 35 percent red (2.5YR 4/6), and 25 percent light gray (10YR 7/2) loam; moderate very coarse prismatic structure; very firm; few fine roots; compact and brittle in about 65 percent of the mass; common fine voids; common faint clay films on faces of peds; the areas of yellowish red are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of gray are iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Btx2—28 to 56 inches; 40 percent yellowish red (5YR 5/8), 35 percent red (2.5YR 4/6), and 25 percent light gray (10YR 7/2) sandy clay loam; moderate very coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate coarse subangular blocky; firm; dense and brittle in about 65 percent of the mass; common fine voids; few faint clay films on faces of peds; thin seams of light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy loam between prisms; the areas of yellowish red and red are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of light gray are iron depletions; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • C—56 to 80 inches; 40 percent yellowish red (5YR 5/6), 30 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), and 30 percent light gray (10YR 7/2) sandy loam; massive; friable; the areas of yellowish brown and yellowish red are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of light gray are iron depletions; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Depth to root restricting layer: 18 to 42 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 4; or hue of 2.5Y, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2
  • E horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 4
    • Texture—silt loam, sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or loam
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 5YR or 2.5YR, value of 4 or 5 , and chroma of 4 to 8
    • Texture—loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam
  • Btx horizon:
    • Color—mottled in shades of brown, gray, yellow, and red; or matrix color in shades of yellowish red to yellowish brown
    • Texture—loam, sandy loam, or sandy clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shade of brown, red, and yellow
  • C horizon (where present):
    • Color—mottled in shades of yellow, brown, gray, and red; or matrix color in shades of gray, yellow, and red
    • Texture—loam, sandy loam, or sandy clay loam; few fine to coarse quartz pebbles in some pedons

Providence Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Moderately well drained
  • Permeability: Moderate above the fragipan and moderately slow in the fragipan
  • Parent material: Loess and underlying loamy sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Uplands
  • Landform position: Summits, shoulder slopes, and backslopes
  • Slope: 2 to 5 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic Oxyaquic Fragiudalfs

Commonly Associated Soils

The Providence series is commonly associated with Ora, Ruston, and Smithdale soils.

  • The moderately well drained Ora soils and well drained Ruston soils are in positions similar to those of the Providence soils and formed in loamy material. The Ruston soils do not have a fragipan.
  • The well drained Smithdale soils are in the lower positions on hillslopes and do not have a fragipan.

Typical Pedon

Providence silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded; about 1.5 miles north of Louisville on State Highway 25 and 1.0 mile east on a paved road; USGS Louisville North topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 9 minutes 14 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 1 minute 17 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 6 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine roots; neutral; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt—6 to 29 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) silt loam; moderate medium granular structure; friable; common fine roots; common fine and medium pores; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/4) and pale brown (10YR 6/3) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Btx1—29 to 37 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) silt loam; moderate very coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; firm; compact and brittle; few fine roots between prisms; few distinct clay films on faces of peds; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) and pale brown (10YR 6/3) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Btx2—37 to 54 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) silty clay loam; weak very coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium subangular blocky; firm; few fine roots between prisms; compact and brittle; many fine voids; few faint clay films on faces of peds; common medium distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions and light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) masses of iron accumulation; contains noticeable sand; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Btx3—54 to 60 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) loam; weak very coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; firm; few distinct clay films on faces of peds; common medium distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • 2Bt—60 to 80 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; many coarse distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Depth to restricting layer: 18 to 38 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid to moderately acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 to 6
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 4 to 8
    • Texture—silt loam or silty clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few or common masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
  • Btx horizon:
    • Color—hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8 and mottles in shades of gray, brown, and red
    • Texture—silt loam, loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, or clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow and none to many concretions
  • 2Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8 and mottles in shades of gray, brown, and red
    • Texture—silt loam, loam, sandy clay loam, sandy loam, or clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow and none to many concretions

Rosebloom Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Poorly drained
  • Permeability: Slow
  • Parent material: Silty alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly concave positions
  • Slope: 0 to 1 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-silty, mixed, active, acid, thermic Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Rosebloom series is commonly associated with Ariel, Arkabutla, and Mathiston soils.

  • The well drained Ariel soils and somewhat poorly drained Arkabutla and Mathiston soils are in the higher positions.

Typical Pedon

Rosebloom silt loam, frequently flooded; about 0.7 mile north of the Kemper County line on State Highway 397 and 0.5 mile northeast on a paved road; USGS Preston topographic quadrangle; lat. 32 degrees 55 minutes 54 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 55 minutes 51 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 9 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine roots; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Bg1—9 to 20 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) silt loam; weak medium subangular structure; friable, plastic; many fine roots; common medium distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bg2—20 to 36 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) silt loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; firm, plastic; common fine roots; few medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bg3—36 to 58 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) silty clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; firm, plastic; few fine roots; many medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Cg—58 to 80 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) silty clay loam; massive; firm, plastic; many medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 40 to more than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 1 to 3; or hue of 2.5Y, value of 5, and chroma of 2
    • Texture—silt loam
  • Bg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 6 or 7, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—silt loam or silty clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown and yellow
  • Cg horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—silt loam or silty clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—common or many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown and yellow

Ruston Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Well drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Loamy marine or stream sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Broad upland ridgetops
  • Landform position: Summits
  • Slope: 0 to 8 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Paleudults

Commonly Associated Soils

The Ruston series is commonly associated with Ora, Providence, and Smithdale soils.

  • The Ora soils have a fragipan.
  • The Providence soils have a fragipan and have a subsoil that is more yellow than the subsoil of the Ruston soils.
  • The Smithdale soils have a solum that is shallower than that of the Ruston soils and are on steeper slopes.

Typical Pedon

Ruston fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded; about 7.5 miles east of Louisville on State Highway 14, about 2.5 miles northeast on a paved road, and 30 feet south of the road; USGS Boon topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 6 minutes 56 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 52 minutes 50 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 5 inches; brown (7.5YR 4/4) fine sandy loam; weak medium granular structure; friable; few fine roots; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt1—5 to 18 inches; red (2.5YR 5/6) clay loam; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt2—18 to 37 inches; red (2.5YR 5/6) clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable, plastic; few fine roots; many distinct clay films on faces of peds; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; few fine distinct light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • B/E—37 to 50 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) loam (B); moderate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; pockets of light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) sandy loam (E); common distinct clay films on faces of peds; mottled areas of uncoated sand; common medium distinct light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • B´t—50 to 80 inches; red (2.5YR 5/6) sandy clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few faint clay films on faces of peds; common medium distinct light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) masses of iron accumulation and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 to 4
    • Other features—in eroded areas, the Ap or A horizon is a mixture of topsoil and subsoil in shades of brown.
  • E horizon and E part of the B/E horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 4
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or sandy loam in streaks and pockets making up as much as 50 percent of the B/E horizon; small, dark, compact, brittle bodies make up as much as 10 percent, by volume, of the B/E horizon in some pedons.
  • B part of the B/E horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 5YR or 2.5YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 4 to 8
    • Texture—sandy clay loam, fine sandy loam, loam, or clay loam
  • Bt & B´t horizons:
    • Color—hue of 5YR or 2.5YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 4 to 8; in some pedons, the B´t horizon is mottled in shades of gray, brown, red, or yellow.
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown and yellow

Savannah Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Moderately well drained
  • Permeability: Moderately slow
  • Parent material: Loamy sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Stream terraces
  • Landform position: Planar and convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 8 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Fragiudults

Commonly Associated Soils

The Savannah series is commonly associated with Guyton and Stough soils.

  • The poorly drained Guyton soils do not have a fragipan and are in the lower positions.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Stough soils are in the slightly lower positions.

Typical Pedon

Savannah fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes; about 3.5 miles west of Louisville on State Highway 14, about 0.3 mile north on a paved road, and 60 feet east; USGS Louisville Southwest topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 7 minutes 13 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 7 minutes 36 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 6 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable; common fine roots; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Bt1—6 to 18 inches; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) loam; weak fine and medium granular structure; very friable; few fine roots; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bt2—18 to 23 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) loam; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Btx1—23 to 38 inches; 35 percent strong brown (7.5YR 5/6), 35 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8), and 30 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam; strong very coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine subangular blocky; firm; compact and brittle in about 60 percent of the volume; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; few faint clay films on faces of peds; common fine voids; uncoated sand grains in seams between prisms; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Btx2—38 to 46 inches; 35 percent strong brown (7.5YR 5/6), 35 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8), and 30 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam; strong very coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine and medium subangular blocky and angular; firm; compact and brittle in about 60 percent of the volume; few faint clay films on faces of peds; common fine voids; uncoated sand grains in seams between prisms; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Btx3—46 to 60 inches; 55 percent strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) and 45 percent light gray (10YR 7/1) loam; strong very coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine and medium subangular blocky; firm; compact and brittle in about 60 percent of the volume; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; few fine voids; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Btx4—60 to 82 inches; 40 percent gray (10YR 6/1), 35 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), and 25 percent dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) loam; strong very coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine subangular blocky; firm; compact and brittle in about 60 percent of the volume; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; few fine voids; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Depth to restricting layer: 18 to 38 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 to 4
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, sandy loam, loam, or silt loam
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 4 to 8
    • Texture—loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam
  • Btx horizon:
    • Color—mottled in shades of yellow, brown, red, and gray; or hue of 10YR, value of 5, and chroma of 4 to 8
    • Texture—loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow

Smithdale Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Well drained
  • Permeability: Moderate
  • Parent material: Loamy sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Uplands
  • Landform position: Side slopes and backslopes
  • Slope: 8 to 45 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Hapludults

Commonly Associated Soils

The Smithdale series is commonly associated with Lauderdale, Maben, Ora, Providence, Ruston, and Sweatman soils.

  • The well drained Lauderdale and Maben soils are in positions similar to those of the Smithdale soils.
  • The moderately well drained Ora and Providence soils are in the higher positions on ridgetops and have a fragipan. The Providence soils formed in a thin mantel of loess and the underlying loamy sediments.
  • The well drained Ruston soils are in the higher positions on ridgetops.
  • The well drained Sweatman soils are in the lower positions.

Typical Pedon

Smithdale fine sandy loam, 15 to 40 percent slopes; about 4.0 miles west of Louisville on State Highway 14, about 3.0 miles northwest on a paved road, and 50 feet south; USGS Highpoint topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 8 minutes 34 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 10 minutes 2 seconds W.

  • A—0 to 6 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable; common fine roots; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • BE—6 to 10 inches; brown (7.5YR 4/4) sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; very friable; few fine roots; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt1—10 to 22 inches; yellowish red (5YR 4/6) loam; moderate fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; common faint clay films on faces of peds; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bt2—22 to 43 inches; yellowish red (5YR 4/6) sandy clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; sand grains coated and bridged with clay and oxides; few faint clay films on faces of peds; few fine distinct strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bt3—43 to 51 inches; yellowish red (5YR 5/6) sandy clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; common medium distinct red (2.5YR 4/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bt4—51 to 84 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) sandy loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; common coarse pockets of light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) masses of iron accumulation; few clean sand grains; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 60 to more than 100 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile
  • A horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 4, and chroma of 1 to 3
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, sandy loam, loamy fine sand, or loamy sand
  • Ap horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 to 6
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 5YR or 2.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8
    • Texture—loam, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, or clay loam; as much as 10 percent, by volume, chert, quartz, or ironstone gravel in some pedons
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow

Stough Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
  • Permeability: Moderately slow
  • Parent material: Loamy sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Stream terraces
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Coarse-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Fragiaquic Paleudults

Commonly Associated Soils

The Stough series is commonly associated with Guyton and Savannah soils.

  • The poorly drained Guyton soils are in the slightly lower positions.
  • The moderately well drained Savannah soils are in higher or lower positions than those of the Stough soils.

Typical Pedon

Stough loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes; about 4.0 miles east of Noxapater on State Highway 490, about 1.0 mile north on a gravel road, and 50 feet east; USGS Vernon topographic quadrangle; lat. 32 degrees 59 minutes 28 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 59 minutes 57 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 6 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; common fine roots; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Bt—6 to 16 inches; 55 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) and 45 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) loam; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine roots; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; the areas of light brownish gray are iron depletions, and the areas of yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Btx1—16 to 34 inches; 55 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and 45 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) loam; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; firm; slightly brittle and compact; about 50 percent, by volume, brown material; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; gray seams of sandy loam about 1/2 inch wide between prisms; the areas of yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of light brownish gray are iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Btx2—34 to 51 inches; 35 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/4), 35 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8), and 30 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy clay loam; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; firm; slightly brittle and compact in about 50 percent of the volume; sand grains coated and bridged with clay; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; gray seams of sandy loam about 1/2 inch wide between prisms; the areas of yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of light brownish gray are iron depletions; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Btx3—51 to 65 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay loam; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; firm; slightly brittle and compact in about 40 percent of the volume; few faint clay films on faces of peds; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Btx4—65 to 82 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy clay loam; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; firm; slightly brittle and compact in about 40 percent of the volume; few faint clay films on faces of peds; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Depth to the restricting layer: 16 to 28 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, loam, or sandy loam
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 1 to 6
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, loam, or sandy loam
    • Redoximorphic features—few or common iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow
  • Btx horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 4 to 6 and few to many mottles with chroma of 2 or less; or mottled in shades of brown, gray, or red
    • Texture—fine sandy loam, loam, sandy loam, or sandy clay loam
    • Redoximorphic features—common or many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow

Sweatman Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Well drained
  • Permeability: Moderately slow
  • Parent material: Clayey and loamy sediments
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Uplands
  • Landform position: Narrow ridges and hillslopes
  • Slope: 1 to 35 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludults

Commonly Associated Soils

The Sweatman series is commonly associated with Lauderdale, Maben, Smithdale, and Wilcox soils.

  • The well drained Lauderdale, Maben, and Smithdale soils are in the higher positions.
  • The Wilcox soils are in positions similar to those of the Sweatman soils.

Typical Pedon

Sweatman fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded; about 2.0 miles west of Louisville on State Highway 14, about 0.5 mile north on a gravel road, and 100 feet south; USGS Louisville North topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 15 minutes 47 seconds N. and long. 89 degrees 6 minutes 20 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 3 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine roots; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Bt1—3 to 16 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm, plastic and sticky; few fine roots; few faint clay films on faces of peds; strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bt2—16 to 28 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm, plastic and sticky; few fine and medium roots; few faint clay films on faces of peds; few fine distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
  • Bt3—28 to 35 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm, plastic and sticky; few fine roots; few faint continuous clay films on faces of peds; many medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • C1—35 to 58 inches; 50 percent light gray (10YR 7/1) and 50 percent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) sandy clay loam; massive; firm; few thin layers of soft shale; the areas of light gray are iron depletions, and the areas of strong brown are masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • C2—58 to 80 inches; light gray (10YR 7/1) weathered shale; moderate thin platy rock structure; friable; common thin strata of red (2.5YR 4/6) and strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) sandy loam; common fine mica flakes; strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: Commonly 20 to 40 inches but ranges to 50 inches
  • Reaction: Very strongly acid or strongly acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 to 4
  • Bt horizon:
    • Color—hue of 2.5YR or 5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8
    • Texture—silty clay loam, silty clay, or clay
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
  • C horizon:
    • Color—hue of 2.5YR to 7.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 6 to 8
    • Texture—sandy loam, loam, or sandy clay loam and thinly stratified shale
    • Redoximorphic features—common or many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow

Urbo Series

  • Depth class: Very deep
  • Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
  • Permeability: Very slow
  • Parent material: Clayey alluvium
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Flood plains
  • Landform position: Slightly convex slopes
  • Slope: 0 to 2 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Fine, mixed, active, acid, thermic Vertic Epiaquepts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Urbo series is commonly associated with Ariel, Arkabutla, Mathiston, Rosebloom, and Wilcox soils.

  • The well drained Ariel soils are in the slightly higher positions.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Arkabutla and Mathiston soils are in positions similar to those of the Urbo soils.
  • The poorly drained Rosebloom soils are in the lower positions.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Wilcox soils are in the higher positions on uplands.

Typical Pedon

Urbo silt loam, occasionally flooded; about 0.3 mile south of the Oktibbeha County line, 0.7 mile east of State Highway 25, and 15 feet north of a paved road; USGS Bradley topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 16 minutes 55 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 52 minutes 47 seconds W.

  • A1—0 to 2 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; common fine and medium roots; few fine grayish brown (10YR 5/2) iron depletions; very strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • A2—2 to 8 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine pores; common fine and medium roots; common fine distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bg1—8 to 18 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silty clay loam; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium subangular blocky; firm; few fine roots; few fine and medium black concretions; few fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; extremely acid; clear smooth boundary.
  • Bg2—18 to 30 inches; grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) silty clay loam; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium subangular blocky; firm; few fine roots; few pressure faces; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; few fine black and brown concretions; extremely acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bssg1—30 to 50 inches; grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) silty clay; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium subangular blocky; firm; few fine roots; few large slickensides that have faint, slightly grooved surfaces; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; few stress surfaces on faces on peds; few fine and medium black concretions; extremely acid; gradual wavy boundary.
  • Bssg2—50 to 80 inches; light gray (10YR 7/1) silty clay; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium angular blocky; firm; few fine roots; few large slickensides that have faint, slightly grooved surfaces; common fine and medium black and brown concretions; common medium distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; very strongly acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: More than 60 inches
  • Reaction: Extremely acid to strongly acid throughout the profile, except for the surface layer in areas where lime has been applied
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 or 3
    • Redoximorphic features—few or common iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown
  • Bw horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 3 or 4; or no dominant matrix color and multicolored in shades of brown, gray, and yellow
    • Texture—silty clay loam, clay loam, silty clay, or clay
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, yellow, and red; few or common concretions of iron and manganese oxides
  • Bg and Bssg horizons:
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Texture—silty clay loam, clay loam, silty clay, or clay
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, yellow, and red and few or common iron and manganese concretions

Wilcox Series

  • Depth class: Deep
  • Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained
  • Permeability: Very slow
  • Parent material: Clayey sediments overlying shale
  • Landscape: Coastal Plain
  • Landform: Uplands
  • Landform position: Convex ridgetops and side slopes in the uplands
  • Slope: 1 to 25 percent
  • Taxonomic class: Very-fine, smectitic, thermic Chromic Dystruderts

Commonly Associated Soils

The Wilcox series is commonly associated with Falkner, Sweatman, and Urbo soils.

  • The Falkner soils and the well drained Sweatman soils are in positions similar to those of the Wilcox soils but are at slightly higher elevations and have less clay.
  • The somewhat poorly drained Urbo soils are on flood plains adjacent to the Wilcox soils and are subject to flooding.

Typical Pedon

Wilcox silty clay loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded; about 0.2 mile west of the Noxubee County line on State Highway 14 and 75 feet south of the highway; USGS Ferns Spring topographic quadrangle; lat. 33 degrees 5 minutes 12 seconds N. and long. 88 degrees 49 minutes 4 seconds W.

  • Ap—0 to 3 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine and medium roots; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.
  • Bt1—3 to 13 inches; reddish brown (2.5YR 4/4) clay; strong medium subangular and angular blocky structure; firm; many fine roots; few faint clay films in pores; common medium distinct gray (10YR 6/1) iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bt2—13 to 20 inches; 55 percent red (2.5YR 4/6) and 45 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) clay; strong fine and medium angular blocky structure; firm; many fine roots; few faint clay films in pores; the areas of red are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of light brownish gray are iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Btss—20 to 35 inches; 50 percent red (2.5YR 4/6), 30 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2), and 20 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) clay; strong medium angular blocky structure; firm; many fine roots; few fine nodules of ironstone; common large intersecting slickensides that have prominent polished and grooved surfaces; the areas of red and yellowish brown are masses of iron accumulation, and the areas of light brownish gray are iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Bssg—35 to 60 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) clay; weak very coarse angular blocky structure parting to fine and medium angular blocky; firm; few fine roots flattened on faces of peds; few fine nodules of ironstone; common large intersecting slickensides that have prominent polished and grooved surfaces; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 5/6) and distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; extremely acid; clear wavy boundary.
  • Cr—60 to 80 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) clayey shale; strong thick platy rock structure; very firm; common coarse distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) and prominent yellowish red (5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; extremely acid.

Range in Characteristics

  • Thickness of the solum: 40 to 60 inches
  • Depth to shale: 40 to 60 inches
  • Reaction: Extremely acid to strongly acid throughout the profile
  • A or Ap horizon:
    • Color—hue of 10YR, value of 3 or 4, and chroma of 1 to 3
    • Texture—silt loam or silty clay loam
  • Bt and Btss horizons:
    • Color—hue of 2.5YR to 7.5YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 4 to 8; or no dominant matrix color and multicolored in shades of red, brown, yellow, and gray
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many iron depletions in shades of gray and masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow
  • Bssg or Cg horizon (where present):
    • Color—hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 1 or 2
    • Redoximorphic features—few to many masses of iron accumulation in shades of brown, red, and yellow
  • Cr horizon:
    • Type of bedrock—shale or clayey shale that has platy or conchoidal rock structure, can be cut with hand tools, and is rippable by light machinery


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