FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Corydalis sempervirens | Pink Corydalis 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire generally kills pink corydalis.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Pink corydalis frequently invades recently burned areas [28].  Seeds
stored in the soil often germinate following fire [1,4,21,24,25].  Pink
corydalis biomass generally peaks the second growing season after fire
[23,25].

The species is generally not found in areas that have not been recently
burned, although seed may be present in the soil [2,13].  Pink corydalis
has been reported to increase in lightly, moderately, and heavily burned
areas [6,25].  In one case, it grew better after a summer fire (on a
warm, dry forest floor) than after a spring fire (on a cool, wet floor)
[17].  In another case, seedlings of pink corydalis and of Carolina
geranium (Geranium carolinianum) emerged soon after a severe fire in the
Appalachian Mountains of New Jersey and were well established 1 year
later [29].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Pink corydalis requires fire to thrive.  Since the species declines 3 to
5 years after a fire, it is likely to become uncommon in areas where
fires are suppressed.  Controlled burning in areas where this species
was formerly present would likely cause it to increase if viable seed
were still present in the soil.  Recently burned areas may be monitored
for this species to determine whether the potential for viable
populations remains.

Related categories for Species: Corydalis sempervirens | Pink Corydalis