Common restharrow
Ononis repens
Family: Fabaceae
Fire effect on plant
The common restharrow is likely killed by fire.
Key traits
The common restharrow persists in burnt areas via a soil-stored seedbank that germinates rapidly after fire (Zimmer et al, 2012). Common restharrow seeds can remain dormant for years within the soil but rapidly germinate following fire (Temperli, 2007). Dispersal ability is not described.
Plant response to fire
The abundance of this species increases after fire due to seedling emergence, and will decline later as the surrounding vegetation shade it out (Zimmer et al, 2012).
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to September.
Conservation status
None.
References
Temperli, C. (2007) Vegetation dynamics after forest fire in comparison to the pre-fire state. MSc Thesis, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Zimmer, H, Cheal, D., and Cross, E. (2012). Post-fire Weeds Triage Manual: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria. [Empirical evidence; Grey literature]