Fire-resistant plants are plants that don't readily ignite from flames or other ignition sources. Though fire-resistant plants can be damaged or killed by fire, their foliage and stems don't contribute significantly to the fuel -- and therefore the fire's intensity. "Fire-resistant" does not mean fire-proof. Plants that are fire-resistant have the following characteristics:
• Leaves are moist and supple.
• Plants have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant.
• Sap is water-like and does not have a strong odor. 
Most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant. However, it's important to remember that even fire-resistant plants can burn, particularly if they are not maintained in a healthy condition.
In contrast, plants that are highly flammable have these general characteristics:
• Contain fine, dry or dead material (twigs, needles, and leaves) within the plant.
• Leaves, twigs, and stems contain volatile waxes, terpenes, or oils.
• Leaves are aromatic (strong smell when crushed).
• Sap is gummy and resinous and has a strong odor.
• May have loose or papery bark.
Both ornamental and native plants can be highly flammable. One highly flammable ornamental shrub often planted in home landscapes is ornamental juniper. Highly flammable native shrubs include bitterbrush, manzanita, sagebrush, and ceanothus. Avoid planting these plants around your home.
Fire Resistant Plants for Southern California
http://www.bewaterwise.com/fire02.html
Landscaping required fire-resistant plants such as monkey flower and sage. And it required that homeowners cut down eucalyptus and pine trees, with their oily bark, dry leaves and needles. Palm trees act “like bombs in a fire, when those embers get up in them,” said Kurtis Anton, a builder. Other fire-resistant flowering plants that grow well in California include California redbud, ceanothus “concha” (California lilac), common yarrow, and French lavender. Trees include coast live oak, California sycamore and toyon. For perennials and annuals, choose California fuchsia and beard tongue, and for groundcover, try wild strawberry.
50 Page list of Fire-Resistant California Friendly Plants >>
http://www.bewaterwise.com/fire.html
http://www.bewaterwise.com/fire02.html
Downloads for various plants common to our area and their descriptions:
Download PlantID1-6.pdf
Download PlantID6-13.pdf
Download PlantID14-20.pdf
Download PlantID21-28.pdf
Download PlantID29-35.pdf
Download PlantID36-44.pdf
Recent Comments