FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Asclepias incarnata | Swamp Milkweed 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
No fire studies on this plant have been reported.  A fire would kill
swamp milkweed back to the caudex.  In moist soil, the caudex is usually
not deeply rooted.  Death would depend upon fire severity.  It may
survive a cool fire.  Late season (summer and fall) fires would have the
greatest effect on this species.  Since its seeds are not shed until
October or November, a late season fire would kill the seed crop of the
current year.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Following a cool surface fire, swamp milkweed sprouts from the caudex
and produces fruit.  If plants have been killed, off-site seeds will be
wind dispersed into the burned area.  This seed will germinate on burned
areas during the first postfire growing season, provided soil conditions
are wet.

Long-term response:  Swamp milkweed should have no difficulties in
maintaining populations.  It can self-fertilize; sexual reproduction
will continue, despite a reduced number of colonizing plants.

Plant recovery is controlled by the severity of the fire and
availability of adequately wet habitat.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Asclepias incarnata | Swamp Milkweed