ANSWERED: California Pitcher Sage, Lepechinia calycina

Paradise, CA(Zone 9a)

I live in Paradise, California, and in 2008 the area was ravaged by a massive wildland fire, the Humboldt Fire. Plants have been slowly growing back in the burned areas since then, and this year I have found something interesting. Driving up the Skyway into town, the south-east side of the road above Lookout Point, that was completed obliterated by the fire in 2008, is now almost completely covered in small plants and shrubs, including a huge amount of California Pitcher Sage, Lepechinia calycina. I don't even remember ever seeing any Lepechinia calycina in the area before the fire, let alone how much is now present. Literally more than half of the plants in that area are now Lepechinia calycina. I am wondering if this plant, like so many other native plants, needs fire for propogation? I've tried to find out through Google searches on the subject, but haven't found much. The area in question was foothill chaparrel before the fire, and what has come back so far, that is visible from the road since there are no trails, is mostly Pitcher Sage, Calfornia Bay Laurel, Toyon, Ceanothus, Wild Grape, and smaller plants. Just something that has peaked my interest recently :).

Answered: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3312/

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