FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Hepatica acutiloba | Sharp-Lobed Hepatica 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire effects have not been studied on sharp-lobed hepatica.  It is
probably top-killed by fire.  Rhizomes probably would survive.
Seedlings most likely would be killed.  If the lipid sack (eliasome)
attached to the seed burns, the seed probably dies.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Fire severity and rooting depth of caudex and rhizomes control the
recovery of sharp-lobed hepatica.  Surviving rhizomes probably sprout
and produce leaves postfire.  Sharp-lobed hepatica grows vigorously in
sparsely vegetated areas with freed nutrients (e.g., ant hills high in
nitrogen and phosphorus) [17].  It probably will flower and produce seed
in the first postfire year.  Long-term postfire recovery should be
fairly successful.  Sharp-lobed hepatica reproduces vegetatively by
short rhizomes, ensuring on-site colony growth.  Sexual reproduction
results in seeds that are readily transported by ants and rodents, which
ensures wide areas of dispersal [17].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Hepatica acutiloba | Sharp-Lobed Hepatica