Deer fern
Group: Ferns
Blechnum spicant
Fire effect on plant
Deer fern is probably top-killed by fire, but rhizomes may survive light surface fires.
Key traits
Rhizomes from which to resprout following low-severity fires (however these may be destroyed in high-severity fires).
Plant response to fire
Deer fern has the capacity to resprout well from rhizomes following low-severity fires, with high rates of survival (Sykes & Horrill, 1981). More severe fires are associated with high mortality (Barbour & Billings, 1988), however sites can be colonised quickly by Deer fern via spores or the spread of rhizomes from adjacent unburned areas.
Timing of history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Spores ripen June to August.
Conservation Status
None.
References
Deer fern
Blechnum spicant
Group: Ferns
Plant response to fire
Deer fern is probably top-killed by fire, but rhizomes may survive light surface fires.
Key traits
Rhizomes from which to resprout following low-severity fires (however these may be destroyed in high-severity fires).
Plant response to fire
Deer fern has the capacity to resprout well from rhizomes following low-severity fires, with high rates of survival (Sykes & Horrill, 1981). More severe fires are associated with high mortality (Barbour & Billings, 1988), however sites can be colonised quickly by Deer fern via spores or the spread of rhizomes from adjacent unburned areas.
Timing of history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Spores ripen June to August.
Conservation Status
None.
References
Sykes, J. M.; Horrill, A. D. 1981. Recovery of vegetation in a Caledonian pinewood after fire. Transactions of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 43(4): 317-325. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Barbour, Michael G.; Billings, William Dwight, eds. 1988. North American terrestrial vegetation. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press. 434 p. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]