Royal fern
Group: Ferns
Osmunda regalis
Fire effect on plant
There is no published description of the direct effects of fire on royal ferns. Its large, above-ground rhizome will likely survive low severity fires, but may be vulnerable to higher severity fires.
Key traits
The royal fern has a massive creeping rhizome and the rootstock can protrude several centimetres above the ground in a trunk-like structure covered with leaf sheaths and roots (Freethy, 1987). Spores are viable upon dispersal and germinate rapidly, often within a day (but may not be viable for long).
Plant response to fire
The royal fern is associated with wet soils, found growing along rivers and streambanks, where the rhizome is continually bathed in running water (Cooke 2020). It is less common in wet grasslands, and is rarely found in open positions. This preference for damp habitats means this species resides in low-flammability parts of the landscape and thus may experience fire only very rarely.
Timing of history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season.
Conservation Status
None.
References
Royal fern
Osmunda regalis
Group: Ferns
Plant response to fire
There is no published description of the direct effects of fire on royal ferns. Its large, above-ground rhizome will likely survive low severity fires, but may be vulnerable to higher severity fires.
Key traits
The royal fern has a massive creeping rhizome and the rootstock can protrude several centimetres above the ground in a trunk-like structure covered with leaf sheaths and roots (Freethy, 1987). Spores are viable upon dispersal and germinate rapidly, often within a day (but may not be viable for long).
Plant response to fire
The royal fern is associated with wet soils, found growing along rivers and streambanks, where the rhizome is continually bathed in running water (Cooke 2020). It is less common in wet grasslands, and is rarely found in open positions. This preference for damp habitats means this species resides in low-flammability parts of the landscape and thus may experience fire only very rarely.
Timing of history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season.
Conservation Status
None.
References
Cooke, R.J. (2020) Osmunda regalis L. in BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020, eds P.A. Stroh, T. A. Humphrey, R.J. Burkmar, O.L. Pescott, D.B. Roy, & K.J. Walker. https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9h.v4b [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Freethy, R. 1987. British ferns. The Crowood Press, Wiltshire. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]