fire adapted plants

[Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.]

Do not forget that in the South American and African savannas that are a
tremendous number of species that produce woody under ground organs call
xylopodia which can be very large and minimal herbaceous above ground
organs that almost look like temperate annual.  The top can be burned
every year, but the plant persists because it sprouts anew from the
large, woody under ground organ.  Xylopodia can get very large 10-20 cm
in diameter or more.  Probably they evolved before man as a means to
resist drought.  Do not confuse xylopodia with tuber, bulbs, etc.

Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.
USDA, Agricultural Research Service
Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory
Room 304, Building 011A, BARC-West
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350 USA
Voice telephone: 301-504-9447
FAX: 301-504-5810
Internet: jkirkbri at asrr.arsusda.gov