Do Arabidopsis halleri from nonmetallicolous populations accumulate zinc and cadmium more effectively than those from metallicolous populations?

•  The ability of metallicolous and nonmetallicolous populations of Arabidopsis halleri to accumulate zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) is compared here in order to explore the extent and variability of this trait in wild A. halleri plants. •  Aerial plant parts and the soil around the harvested plants were collected and analysed for metal concentrations or total and extractable metal concentrations, respectively, for 20 metallicolous and 13 nonmetallicolous populations.