CRYPTOGEAL GERMINATION AND OTHER SEEDLING ADAPTIONS TO THE BURNING OF VEGETATION IN SAVANNA REGIONS: THE ORIGIN OF THE PYROPHYTIC HABIT

Abstract

S ummary Following a study of Butyrospermum paradoxum (Jackson, 1968), observations on the germination of several savanna shrubs and trees have been made. Plumule burying (cryptogeal germination) occurs in a number of species in widely separated families. It is suggested that this feature has arisen as a result of evolution in a habitat that has long been subject to annual burning. The problem remains as to whether the fires are to be regarded as natural or as due to the widespread use of burning by man.