Shrubs of Pocosins and Shrub Bogs: Adaptations to Fire

Pocosin and shrub bog plants are adapted to fire and have adaptations that allow them to perpetuate themselves following fires and even depend on fire to complete their life cycle. Virtually all shrub species in pocosins have underground organs that allow them to resprout following fires (see Plant resistance to fire).

Pocosin and shrub bog plants have characteristics that promote fire. Many shrub bog and pocosin shrubs have sclerophyllus (tough leathery) leaves that are high in lignin. One result of this leaf character is that leaves do not decompose readily so they contribute to fuel buildup. Further, a number of shrub species like gallberry (Ilex glabra) and red bay (Persea borbonia) have large amounts of secondary chemicals in leaves. These chemicals, like sclerophylly, are theorized to deter herbivory. Another end result is that many of these secondary chemicals are volatile, which leads to very flammable leaves (Christensen et al 1981). All of these characters lead to high levels of available fuel.

See: Pond Pine: Intense Fire Adaptations.