FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Epilobium angustifolium | Fireweed 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Fireweed is a component of diverse ecosystems in boreal and temperate
regions with variable fire regimes.  Fireweed is primarily adapted to
fire through its rhizomes and its prolific production of wind-dispersed
seed.  Depending upon depth of rhizomes in the soil, fireweed is
moderately susceptibile to resistant to fire [43,150,219].  The majority
of roots and rhizomes are in the top 2 inches (5 cm) of mineral soil and
can survive relatively intense fires [43,74,150].

Fireweed has high ash and high moisture content; it is not considered
flammable [223].  A study that examined litter fall in aspen (Populus
tremuloides) stands found that the dominant herbaceous species was
fireweed, which contributed 334.6 pounds per acre (375 kg/ha) to litter
[48].  However, fireweed litter rapidly decomposes.  Fireweed leaves
lost more than 70 percent of their mass after 3 years in the field
[206].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Geophyte, growing points deep in soil
   Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)
   Secondary colonizer - on-site seed

Related categories for Species: Epilobium angustifolium | Fireweed