Bloody cranesbill
Geranium sanguineum
Family: Geraniaceae
Fire effect on plant
Bloody cranesbill is likely top-killed by fire with belowground buds surviving.
Key traits
Bloody cranesbill is a clonal, perennial herb with a thick rhizome which functions as a storage organ and supports clonal growth. It has a large average belowground budbank (42 buds) with an average depth of 8cm (Klimešová et al, 2017). It can also reproduce from seed although this is likely less important to regeneration compared to vegetative growth and spread. Its seedbank is described as ‘transient’ (Cerabolini et al, 2003). Seeds are dispersed via a projectile mechanism from ripe seed pods (up to 6m).
Plant response to fire
The direct effect of fire on bloody cranesbill populations is not described in the literature. However, their underground rhizomes and buds will probably allow survival through fire, and the quick colonisation of bare ground through clonal spread.
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to August.
Conservation status
None.
References
Cerabolini, B., Ceriani, R. M., Caccianiga, M., Andreis, R. D., Raimondi, B. (2003). Seed size, shape and persistence in soil: a test on Italian flora from Alps to Mediterranean coasts. Seed Science Research 13: 75-85 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Klimešová J., Danihelka J., Chrtek J., de Bello F. & Herben T. (2017) CLO-PLA: a database of clonal and budbank traits of the Central European flora. – Ecology 98: 1179 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]