Betony
Stachys officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
Fire effect on plant
Betony is likely top-killed, but has the ability to resprout after fire (Trabaud, 1992).
Key traits
Betony is a perennial herb that spreads via creeping rhizomes. These belowground structures may survive fire and support resprouting afterwards (Trabaud, 1992).
Betony seeds may also survive in the soil seedbank and germinate after fire (Trabaud, 1992). Its seed dispersal is poor and it does not form a persistent soil seed bank (Roberts, 1986).
Plant response to fire
The effect of fire on betony populations is not described in the literature.
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to August.
Conservation status
None.
References
Trabaud, L. (1992). Influence du régime des feux sur les modifications à court terme et la stabilité à long terme de la flore d'une garrigue de Quercus coccifera. Revue d'Ecologie-La Terre et La Vie 47: 209-230. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Roberts, H.A. 1986. Seed persistence in soil and seasonal emergence in plant species from different habitats. Journal of Applied Ecology 23: 639-656 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]