Burnet-saxifrage
Pimpinella saxifraga
Family: Apiaceae
Fire effect on plant
This species is likely to be top-killed by fire with belowground buds surviving.
Key traits
Burnet-saxifrage is a perennial herb with a taproot that supports a belowground bud bank 4-9 cm beneath the soil (Klimešová et al 2017). Fire effects on seeds is not described.
Plant response to fire
The effect of fire on burnet-saxifrage populations is not described in the literature. However, the survival of belowground parts seems likely. This species is suppressed by tall, competing plants, so populations may benefit from the removal of standing biomass by fire.
Timing of life history
A winter-green perennial. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowers May to September.
Conservation status
None
References
Klimešová J., Danihelka J., Chrtek J., de Bello F. and Herben T. 2017. CLO-PLA: a database of clonal and budbank traits of the Central European flora. Ecology 98: 1179 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]