Litter decomposition in serpentine ecosystems has been studied solely from the effect of heavy metals such as Ni. This study aimed to demonstrate how litter quality including heavy metal concentrations and soil environment influence decomposition in a serpentine ecosystem. We performed a reciprocal transplant decomposition experiment of three tree species (Clethra barbinervis, Magnolia obovata and Quercus serrata) common to serpentine and non-serpentine ecosystems. Thirteen litter quality variables of initial litter and microbial respirations from decomposed litter were assessed. Litter from the serpentine ecosystem was decomposed more slowly than the one from the non-serpentine on both serpentine and non-serpentine soils. In all species, K concentration in litter from the serpentine ecosystem was lower than that in litter from the non-serpentine. For each species, C. barbinervis showed higher heavy metal concentration, cellulose content and lamina dry mass per area; M. obovata showed lower Ca concentration; Q. serrata exhibited higher lignin/N in litter from the serpentine ecosystem. Microbial respiration rates did not differ between litters from the two ecosystems. In conclusion, litter from serpentine ecosystems adversely influences decomposition rate due to its recalcitrant litter quality. We suggest evaluating litter quality based on multiple litter traits for better-understanding of litter decomposition in serpentine ecosystems.