FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Lespedeza striata | Common Lespedeza 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Common lespedeza is killed by cool fires [15].  Seeds near the ground
surface are probably killed by fire; a 4-minute exposure of common
lespedeza seeds to dry heat at temperatures above 185 degrees Fahrenheit
(84 deg C) severely reduced germination rates [16].  No information was
available concerning the survival of buried seed.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Following prescribed fires in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations in
South Carolina, common lespedeza appeared in 3 percent of spring-burned
plots and 4 percent of summer-burned plots.  It was not present in
prefire or in control plots [4].  Common lespedeza increased after
prescribed fire in a southern Illinois grassland [1].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Prescribed fire in winter is useful for improving northern bobwhite and
wild turkey habitat.  Such fire reduces woody vegetation and increases
cover and density of grasses and legumes, including common lespedeza
[2,11].  Northern bobwhite habitat is enhanced when common lespedeza
is seeded in (either alone or in grass mixtures) after prescribed fire.
Because common lespedeza germinates early, seedlings may be killed by
late winter or spring fires [2,15,24].  Fire is not recommended on sites
where common lespedeza has already germinated and seedlings are dense [24].

Related categories for Species: Lespedeza striata | Common Lespedeza