FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Centaurea solstitialis | Yellow Starthistle 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Most fires probably kill yellow starthistle.  Seeds buried in the soil
probably survive most fire.

A grassland in northern California was burned in October to remove brush
and improve grass vigor.  The fire spread and burned quickly, consuming
most of the perennial growth and annual grass litter.  Germinating
annual plants beneath the litter, probably including yellow starthistle,
were not visibly affected [8].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Buried seed may germinate after fire, as after other disturbances, if
moisture conditions are favorable.  The removal of existing vegetation
by fire may increase survival of postfire yellow starthistle seedlings
by reducing shade.
 
According to Thomsen and others [39], the ability of yellow starthistle
to regrow following defoliation surpasses most, if not all other annual
plants on California ranges.  Yellow starthistle may regrow after spring
or early summer fire if damage is not severe.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Prescribed fire may be used to control yellow starthistle seed
production if plants are burned in the early flowering stage before seed
matures.  Yellow starthistle is still green prior to seed maturity so
there must be adequate dry fuel from other plants for fire to carry [39].

Related categories for Species: Centaurea solstitialis | Yellow Starthistle