Six understory species from five pine flatwood sites and six understory species from five hardwood hammock sites were harvested for biomass analyses to compare potential flammability between two ecosystems in the south-eastern coastal plain of the United States. Plant components were separated into live and dead foliage, accumulated litter on and under the plant, and small and large stems. Foliar biomass was further analysed for moisture content, volatile solid content, and energy content. Statistical analyses revealed differences among species and between ecosystems. Serenoa repens plants present a wildfire hazard because they contain greater biomass than other species studied. Ilex glabra and Lyonia ferruginea are also hazardous to wildland–urban interface (WUI) structures because they have greater foliar energy content than other species studied. Callicarpa americana plants present the least wildfire hazard to WUI structures. We conclude that differences in flammability among species exist, but the causes of flammability are different among species. In addition, species in the same genus do not always have the same flammability. Based on measured characteristics, understory plants in pine flatwoods have greater ignitability, sustainability and combustibility than understory plants in hardwood hammocks. However, the measurements for consumability were similar between ecosystems.

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This document is Circular 1431, one of the series Fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published: January 2003. This factsheet is funded by the National Fire Plan through the Southern Center for Wildland-Urban Interface Research and Information, Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr137

This extension publication is a guide to making a firewise plant list to assist local homeowners with firewise landscaping. It includes a step-by-step method for determining whether or not a particular plant is appropriate for firewise landscaping. Extension agents, nursery personnel, landscape architects, or urban foresters may use this publication for preparing local firewise plant lists in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). These lists can be combined with the Florida Cooperative Extension Service publication “Selecting and Maintaining Firewise Plants” for homeowners and other interested groups. This document is Circular 1453, one of the Fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface series of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published: July 2004. CIR 1453/FR151: Fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface: Preparing a Firewise Plant List for WUI Residents (ufl.edu)