Vegetation called chaparral covers much of southern California and has adapted itself to the climate. Chaparral is composed of hard-leafed evergreen shrubs with deep roots. Chamise, California lilac and Toyon are common forms of chaparral in southern California and at Stunt Ranch. Chaparral plants evolved with fire and have adapted to naturally occurring fires in several ways such as sprouting from stumps and sprouting seeds which germinate best after a fire. These chaparral plants are said to be fire prone, fire adapted and fire dependent.
Fire cracks the seed coating.
Fire dependent - only blooms after a fire. Depends on chemical bath of charcoal and charcoal and water to bloom. In the dry climate that exists in southern California, plant material decomposes very slowly. The fungi and bacteria need moisture to begin the decomposition process. In a land too dry for vegetation to rot, fire recyles life.