An Evaluation of Background and Anomalous Copper and Zinc Concentrations in the ôCopper Plantö Polycarpaea Spirostylis and Other Australian Species of the Genus

The copper and zinc contents of herbarium specimens of 11 of the 12 Australian species of Polycarpaea were determined in order to establish background and anomalous values of potential use in biogeochemical prospecting.Cumulative frequency curves were used to establish appropriate threshold concentrations for six species including the "copper plant"' P spirostylis. Collection localities of Polycarpaea specimens with anomalous copper or copper-and-zinc values are under investigation.