Cross-leaved heath
Erica tetralix
Family: Ericaceae
Fire effect on plant
Cross-leaved heath is typically top-killed by burning, although stem bases often remain.
Key traits
Cross-leaved heath has deeply buried adventitious buds and roots, which sprout vigorously after burning (Mallik and Gimingham 1985). Lower branches are also often buried in moss or litter and protected from the heat of fire (Bannister 1958). Indeed, burning at 600oC has been shown to result in vigorous vegetative regrowth in cross-leaved heath (Mallik and Gimingham 1985). Growth can become tussocky after repeated burning (Bannister 1958).
This species also produces a large, persistent seed bank (Naszarkowski et al. 2023). Heat improves germination of seeds, with all heat treated seeds germinating earlier than in control samples (Mallik and Gimingham 1985). Cross-leaved heath seeds also appear to be smoke stimulated and responded to ash deposition, and smoke and ash, although smoke alone gave the strongest germination improvement (Bargmann et al. 2014). Seed dispersal distances are assumed to be small in this species (Bannister 1958).
Plant response to fire
Cross-leaved heath may become dominant after fire via rapid regeneration from shoot bases (Bannister 1958), and is known to reach high cover values rapidly after fire (Munoz et al. 2010). Although repeated burning was suggested to lead to extermination of cross-leaved heather (Bannister 1958), no evidence was given to support this statement.
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to October.
Conservation status
None.
References
Bannister, P. 1958. Erica Tetralix L. Journal of Ecology 54: 795-813. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Bargmann, T., Maren, I.E., Vandvik, V. 2014. Life after fire: smoke and ash as germination cues in ericads, herbs and graminoids of northern heathlands. Applied Vegetation Science 17: 670-679. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
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]
Munoz, A., Alvarez, R., Pesquiera, X.M., Garcia-Duro, J., Reyes, O., Casal M. 2010. Burning in the management of heathlands of Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix: effects on structure and diversity. Nova Acta Cientifica Compostelana (Bioloxia) 19: 69-81. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Naszarkowski, N.A.L., Woodin, S.J., Ross, L.C., Hester, A.J., Pakeman, R.J. 2023. Wildfire impacts on seedbank and vegetation dynamics in Calluna heath. Nordic Journal of Botany e03937. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]