Fragic Humo-Ferric Podzol (FR.HFP)
Common horizon sequence: LFH, Ae, Bf, BCx, C
These soils have the general properties specified for the Podzolic order and the Humo-Ferric Podzol great group. They differ from Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzols by having a fragipan within the control section. A fragipan (Bx or BCx) is a subsurface horizon of high bulk density that is firm and brittle when moist and hard to extremely hard when dry. Usually it is of medium texture. Commonly it has bleached fracture planes separating very coarse prismatic units. The secondary structure is platy. Usually the fragipan has a color similar to that of the parent material but differs in structure and consistence and sometimes in bulk density. The upper boundary of a fragipan is usually either abrupt or clear, but the lower boundary is usually diffuse. Commonly it is necessary to dig to about 3 m to expose clearly the material beneath the lower boundary of the fragipan. Air-dry clods of fragipans slake in water. A fragipan may have clay skins and meet the limits of a Bt horizon (Btx).
Fragic Humo-Ferric Podzols usually have L, F, and H horizons and an Ae horizon. They have neither ortstein, placic, nor duric horizons but may have an Ah horizon and mottles that indicate gleying at some depth within the control section.
Note: Diagnostic horizons are underlined.