Soil series profile

Perrine soil series

Perrine is a very poorly drained soil with a marly silt loam surface, mapped on 45,981 acres in 2 counties in FL. Hydrologic group C/D.

#6321 by mapped area coarse-silty Typic Fluvaquents (Entisols)

Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Hydrologic group: C/D
Typical topsoil pH: 8.0
Mapped area: 46k

Typical Perrine profile

Texture and pH by depth

Depth to scale. More strongly shaded layers hold more clay. Horizon names are the soil survey's (A = topsoil, B = subsoil, C = parent material).

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Typical Perrine horizons (representative values)
Depth	Texture	pH	Clay	Sand	Organic matter
0–3 in (Lma1)	Marly silt loam	8.0	20%	3%	4%
3–29 in (Lma2)	Marly silt	8.2	10%	1%	2.5%
29–39 in (2R)	Bedrock	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported

Representative values from the most extensive Perrine map unit (Perrine marly silt loam, frequnetly ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes, survey area FL686). Other map units of this series vary within the series range.

Stock photo for illustration, not a sample of this soil series. Credit on the Sources & method page.

What this means

What Perrine soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems

For gardens

Typical topsoil in Perrine soils is moderately alkaline: pH 8.0 (most land between 7.6 and 8.0). Acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas struggle without amended beds, and some trees and shrubs show iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).

Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 100% of mapped Perrine acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is marly silt loam (>99% of mapped Perrine acres).

100% of mapped Perrine acres is somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, so soil stays soggy for long spells after rain and in wet seasons. Raised beds, plants that tolerate wet feet, and not working the soil while wet all help.

For lawns and yards

On 100% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.

A seasonal high water table comes within 18 inches of the surface on 100% of mapped acres, often in spring. Basements, sump pumps and lawns in low spots feel it first.

For a septic system

For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 100% of the acres in mapped Perrine soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.

Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.

Flooding is mapped on 14% of the acres (11% occasional, 3% frequent).

Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.

Generated from the mapped numbers above using fixed rules, not a site visit. See how these notes are written.

Where Perrine soil is found

Mapped acres

Perrine is mapped in Florida.

Counties with the most mapped Perrine soil
County	Acres	Share of county land
Miami-Dade County, FL	39,563	5.9%
Broward County, FL	277	0.1%

Septic absorption fields

NRCS rating, share of Perrine acres

Not limited 0%

Somewhat limited 0%

Very limited 100%

Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Perrine acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Septic tank absorption field rating across mapped Perrine acres.
Category	Share of acres
Not limited	0.0%
Somewhat limited	0.0%
Very limited	100.0%

Drainage, water table and flooding

Share of Perrine acres

Depth to seasonal high water table: About 2 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on 100% of acres.
Flooding: Mapped as flooding on 14% of acres (11% occasional, 3% frequent).
Slope: Typically 0–0% (median 0%).
Topsoil organic matter: Median 4%.

Drainage class

Excessively drained 0%

Somewhat excessively drained 0%

Well drained 0%

Moderately well drained 0%

Somewhat poorly drained 0%

Poorly drained 12%

Very poorly drained 88%

Drainage class across mapped Perrine acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Drainage class across mapped Perrine acres.
Category	Share of acres
Excessively drained	0.0%
Somewhat excessively drained	0.0%
Well drained	0.0%
Moderately well drained	0.0%
Somewhat poorly drained	0.0%
Poorly drained	12.4%
Very poorly drained	87.6%

Hydrologic soil group

A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) 0%

B: moderate infiltration 0%

C: slow infiltration 0%

D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) 0%

A/D: D as is, A if drained 0%

B/D: D as is, B if drained 0%

C/D: D as is, C if drained 100%

Hydrologic soil group across mapped Perrine acres. Scale 0 to 100% of mapped land.

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Hydrologic soil group across mapped Perrine acres.
Category	Share of acres
A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly)	0.0%
B: moderate infiltration	0.0%
C: slow infiltration	0.0%
D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet)	0.0%
A/D: D as is, A if drained	0.0%
B/D: D as is, B if drained	0.0%
C/D: D as is, C if drained	100.0%

Sources & data dates

Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
Data date: SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
Scope: All map unit components named Perrine (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 45,981 acres.
Method: Shares are by mapped acres of Perrine components. The profile comes from the single largest Perrine component. Full methodology.

Independent reference site. No government affiliation or endorsement.

Full narrative description: USDA Official Soil Series Description for Perrine.