Copper tolerance and accumulation in two cuprophytes of South Central Africa: Crepidorhopalon perennis and C. tenuis (Linderniaceae)

► In this study, Cu tolerance and accumulation of Crepidorhopalon tenuis and C. perennis were studied in axenic conditions. ► Results showed a high Cu tolerance. ► We showed a high need in copper of metallicolous populations. This could represent a cost of tolerance, which would explain the high affinity of species for cupriferous habitats. ► Restricted distribution of C. perennis may be explained by a cost of Cu tolerance. ► Both species are not Cu hyperaccumulators and seem to behave rather like excluder species.