podzol

/ ˈpɒdzɒl, ˈpɒdsɒl /

noun

1. a type of soil characteristic of coniferous forest regions having a greyish-white colour in its upper leached layers

podzol

1. Soil that is characterized by an upper dark organic zone overlying a white to gray zone formed by leaching, overlying a reddish-orange zone formed by the deposition of iron oxide, alumina, and organic matter. Podzols form in coniferous areas or under heath in cool, humid climates.

Other Word Forms

• podzolic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of podzol¹

C20: from Russian: ash ground, from pod ground + zola ashes

Example Sentences

Then there are the packed ice, red sand and podzol blocks.

From Forbes