FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Gaultheria procumbens | Wintergreen 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Wintergreen is not well-adapted to fire that removes litter and/or the
organic layer of soil.  Rhizomes are restricted to the upper 0.8 to 1.2
inches (2-3 cm) of the organic layer, and wintergreen usually does not
survive if the organic layer is removed by fire [15].  The rhizomes are
especially vulnerable to severe fire [54].  If wintergreen survives, the
fire was probably of short duration or light enough that the fire
removed only aboveground vegetation and little litter [14].

Wintergreen rhizomes can tolerate brief exposure to high temperatures.
In one study its rhizomes were collected in spring, summer, and fall and
subjected to wet heat.  Maximum shoot growth and number of stems
occurred after spring-collected rhizomes were placed in a water bath at
131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 deg C) for 5 minutes.  Rhizomes died when
subjected to a 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 deg C) bath for 5 minutes
[14].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Rhizomatous low woody plant, rhizome in organic mantle
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Gaultheria procumbens | Wintergreen