FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Ceanothus foliosus | Waveyleaf Ceanothus 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Plant adaptations:  Waveyleaf ceanothus establishes from seedbanks.
Large numbers of hard-coated, long-lived seeds accumulate in the litter,
duff, and soil beneath the parent plant.  Germination is usually fire
stimulated [11,24,26,29].  The seed is extremely resistant to heat and
will remain viable after exposure to temperatures up to 176 degrees
Fahrenheit (80 deg C) [27].  Waveyleaf ceanothus appears to have a
competitive edge over sprouting species when there are long intervals
between fires.  When fire does not occur for 50 to 100 years, the fuel
build-up results in an intense fire once it does start.  The mortality
of sprouting species is unusually high, resulting in more openings for
waveyleaf ceanothus seedlings [13].

Fire ecology:  Waveyleaf ceanothus twigs and leaves contain flammable
waxes, oils, and terpenes [5].  The prostrate growth form of the plant
encourages fire to spread.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)

Related categories for Species: Ceanothus foliosus | Waveyleaf Ceanothus