Harebell
Campanula rotundifolia
Family: Campanulaceae
Fire effect on plant
Harebells are likely top-killed by fire, with belowground rhizomes surviving.
Key traits
Harebell is a rhizomatous perennial herb with a creeping, slender, elongated and much branched rootstock which produces adventitious buds. A white taproot is also occasionally present. Plants generally overwinter as frost-resistant green rosettes.
Harebells also spread by seed although seed dispersal distances are short (Stevens et al. 2012). Seed bank longevity appear to short (less than 1 year up to 5 years; Thompson et al 1997). Fire effects on seed viability are not described.
Plant response to fire
In tests of ecological effects of heather burning in Scottish moorland, Mallik and Gimingham (1985) found that C. rotundifolia can regenerate from underground perennating organs that escape the effects of fire.
Timing of life history
A perennial. Seeds produced from second growing season. Flowering July to September.
Conservation status
None.
References
Mallik, A.U. and Gimingham, C.H. 1985. Ecological effects of heather burning: II. Effects on seed germination and vegetative regeneration. Journal of Ecology 73: 633–644. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Stevens, C.J., Wilson, J. and McAllister, H.A. 2012. Biological Flora of the British Isles: Campanula rotundifolia. Journal of Ecology 100: 821-839. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Thompson K, Bakker J P, Bekker R M. 1997. Soil seed banks of NW Europe: methodology,density and longevity. Cambridge University Press. 276 pp [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]