Wintergreens
Pyrola spp.
Family: Ericaceae
Examples: P. media; P. rotundifolia
Fire effect on plant
Fire tends to top-kill wintergreens, but underground rhizomes may survive.
Key traits
Underground rhizomes support resprouting after fire (Mallik and Gimingham 1984).
Seeds may survive fire and germinate after, although resprouting is more prominant (Hobbs and Gimingham 1984). Seeds are very small (dust-like) and wind-dispersed. Because seeds have practically no food reserves, successful germination and seedling growth appear to require the obligate assistance of a saprophytic fungal partner from the soil flora.
Plant response to fire
In heathlands, wintergreen species like P. media may benefit from fire, which reduces competition and shading from heather (SNH 2007). Indeed, a reduction in burning in these habitats is proposed as a cause of population declines in P. media (McIntosh and Walker 2024). However, the use of fire in heathland has also been implicated in the decline of P. media, with fires causing mortality (McVean and Ratcliffe 1962).
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to August.
Conservation status
None.
References
SNH. 2007. A Five Year Species Action Framework. Scottish Natural Heritage, Perth. [Expert opinion; Grey literature]
McIntosh, J. and Walker, K.J. 2024. Species account: Pyrola media. Botanical Society of the British Isles [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Mallik, A.U. and Gimingham, G.H. 1983. Regeneration of heathland plants following burning. Vegetatio 53: 45-58. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
McVean, D.N. and Ratcliffe, D.A., 1962. Plant communities of the Scottish Highlands. Monographs of the Nature Conservancy No.1: HMSO, Edinburgh. [Expert opinion; Grey literature]
Hobbs, R.J. and Gimingham, G.H. 1984. Studies on Fire in Scottish Heathland Communities II. Post-Fire Vegetation Development. Journal of Ecology 72: 585-610 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]