One way xerophytic species cope with a short growing season is to flower simultaneously. Plants of littleleaf horsebrush stand dormant throughout most of the year on the dry ranges where they occur. During a fire these much-branched shrubs burn rapidly, with little heat transferred downward into the roots. The effect of fire on shrubs is more damaging than that on forbs and grasses. Fire not only destroys herbage, but also the stored reserves of shrubs.
Plants quickly regain and surpass their original size.
The amount of sprouting is affected by season and soil moisture, as these are factors which contribute to burning intensity. After a fire sprouting littleleaf horsebrush may initially dominate sagebrush ranges. Distribution of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's associations for the eleven western states. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Distribution of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's associations for the eleven western states.