FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Lythrum salicaria | Purple Loosestrife 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Buds on purple loosestrife's caudex lie about 0.8 inch (2 cm) below the
soil surface and are fairly well insulated from the heat of fire.
Furthermore, the plant's fuels are concentrated on aboveground erect
stems, so there is little fuel at the soil surface to promote soil
heating.  Although aboveground plant portions may be killed or consumed
by fire, belowground rootstocks survive on most plants and initiate new
top growth [19].

It is doubtful that marsh fires could destroy all of the purple
loosestrife seeds stored in the soil.  Seedling establishment following
fire is probable.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Caudex, growing points in soil
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Lythrum salicaria | Purple Loosestrife