Iron (Fe) deficiency-related chlorosis (lime chlorosis) and the “paradox of iron chlorosis” in calcicole and calcifuge plants are unresolved problems. We performed a meta-analysis of our previous studies to determine whether calcicoles are more resistant to lime chlorosis than calcifuges are, whether lime chlorosis is Fe chlorosis per se and what is the source of the “paradox of iron chlorosis” in grassland plants. We found that both calcicoles and calcifuges are susceptible to chlorosis when grown on alkaline soil. In general, lime chlorosis does not result from Fe deficiency but is likely associated with manganese (Mn). Additionally, our analyses revealed that Ecological Indicator Values for Europe for soil reaction (R EIVEs) are not random to experimentally determined calcicole/calcifuge behavior but are not straightforward. Ultimately, neither the experimentally determined calcicole index nor the R EIVEs explained the microelemental nutrition of grassland plants in general (except for Zn acquisition), which highlights the need for species ecology-oriented studies to understand these phytocenoses.