terra rossa
/ˈrɒsə
/noun [mass noun]
A reddish soil occurring on limestone in Mediterranean climates.The Mediterranean soils of terra rossa on a limestone bedrock are suited to extensive cereal culture and to dry arboriculture....
- Some limestone soils, such as the Mediterranean terra rossa, are red-brown in colour; these are moderately alkaline and have a good clay-loam texture and structure.
- Soil-unique and soil-specific alleles were found in two edaphic groups dwelling on terra rossa and basalt soils across macro- and microgeographical scales.
Origin
Late 19th century: Italian, literally 'red earth'.