Dwarf cornel
Cornus suecica
Family: Cornaceae
Fire effect on plant
There is no published information on the immediate effects of fire on dwarf cornel. However, in closely related C. canadensis, fire typically causes top-kill and underground rhizomes survive (Gucker 2012). However, severe fires that produce long-duration soil heating may cause mortality (Flinn and Pringle 1983).
Key traits
Underground rhizomes are protected from the heat of the fire by a layer of soil.
Fire effects on seeds are unknown. In closely related C. canadensis, seeds exhibit double dormancy (hard, impermeable seed coat and dormant embryo), which can be overcome by scarification or heat shock treatment. Seeds of Dwarf Cornel might similarly benefit from heat shock although this is unclear. Seeds are animal dispersed, with dispersal distances of 400–1500 m.
Plant response to fire
In C. canadensis, resprouting is seen within months of burning. Fire may also stimulate flower and fruit production (Foster 1985), and increases in species abundance after fire are common (Ross 1978; Lee 2004). It is likely that dwarf cornel will have similar responses to fire.
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to July.
Conservation status
None.
References
Foster, D.R. 1985. Vegetation development following fire in Picea mariana (black spruce)-Pleurozium forests of south-eastern Labrador, Canada. Journal of Ecology 73: 517-534. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Lee, P. 2004. The impact of burn intensity from wildfires on seed and vegetative banks, and emergent understory in aspen-dominated boreal forests. Canadian Journal of Botany 82: 1468-1480. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Ross, S. R. 1978. The effects of prescribed burning on ground cover vegetation of white pine and mixed hardwood forests in southeastern New Hampshire. Thesis, University of New Hampshire. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Gucker, C.L. 2012. Cornus canadensis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/corcan/all.html [2024, January 24]. [Expert opinion; Grey literature]
Flinn, M.A., Pringle, Joan K. 1983. Heat tolerance of rhizomes of several understory species. Canadian Journal of Botany 61: 452-457. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]