Hawkweeds
Hieracium spp.
Family: Asteraceae
Fire effect on plant
There is no published information on the immediate effects of fire on hawkweeds, but plants and stolons are likely top-killed by fire whilst belowground rhizomes and adventitious root buds may survive.
Key traits
Hawkweed rhizomes, adventitious root buds, and stolons resprout after physical disturbance (North Dakota Department of Agriculture, 2007; Williams et al, 2007) suggesting that postfire sprouting is possible. Hawkweed seeds have the potential for long-distance, though seeds do not seem to persist in the soil seed bank.
Plant response to fire
High-light conditions produced by fire may favour hawkweed sexual reproduction and vegetative regeneration (Carson & Root, 2000).
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to September.
Conservation status
BAP - H. backhousei, H. calvum, H. graniticola, H. grovesii, H. insigne, H. kennethii, H. larigense, H. leptodon, H. macrocarpum, H. notabile, H. optimum, H. pseudocurvatum, H. pseudopetiolatum, H. sect. Alpestria, H. subgracilentipes; Protected - H. northroense, H. zetlandicum, H. attenuatifolium
References
North Dakota Department of Agriculture. 2007. Meadow hawkweed (Hieracium pratense). Bismarck, ND: North Dakota Department of Agriculture. [Empirical evidence; Grey literature]
Williams, Nicholas; Hahs, Amy; Morgan, John; Holland, Kelly. 2007. A dispersal constrained habitat suitability model for orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) on the Bogong High Plains, Victoria. Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 38. Melbourne, Australia: Parks Victoria. 57 p. [Empirical evidence; Grey literature]
Carson, Walter P.; Root, Richard B. 2000. Herbivory and plant species coexistence: community regulation by an outbreaking phytophagous insect. Ecological Monographs. 70(1): 73-99. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]