Response of Succulents to Fire: A review

Abstract

Many succulents live in fire-prone habitats with fire frequencies ranging from 1-3 years (Canadian Prairies) to >250 years (Sonoran Desert). Mortality after a fire is often >50% but rarely total. A few plants are left unbumt in refugia but most cacti and leaf succulents persist by survival of the apical meristem, an adaptation to the normal climate of such habitats. Similarly, reproduction is governed by weather patterns, not fire. Apex survival is critical because growth from other meristems (above or below ground) is rare except in the leaf succ ulents Agave and Aloe. Survival is consequently dependent upon the frequency and intensity of fire.