The gum tree or Eucalyptus tree of Australia is an example of a plant that needs bushfires to propagate. The seeds are normally sealed by a resin that must be m

The gum tree or Eucalyptus tree of Australia is an example of a plant that needs bushfires to propagate. The seeds are normally sealed by a resin that must be melted by fire to allow them to sprout. Eucalyptus trees make up most of Australia's forests [1]. Other examples of Australian plants that are adapted to bushfires to the degree that they require them to propagate are found in the genus Banksia [2]. Together with the genus Eucalyptus they comprise hundreds of plant species[3]. These aren't the only pyrophytic plants[3] that require fires. For example, Melaleuca quinquenervia is another pyrophytic plant of Australia [4]. Wikipedia says this of the Eucalyptus: > Most species of Eucalyptus are native to Australia, and every state and territory has representative species. About three-quarters of Australian forests are eucalypt forests. Wildfire is a feature of the Australian landscape and many eucalypt species are adapted to fire, and resprout after fire or have seeds which survive fire. Eucalyptus trees survive fire so they can be classified as a pyrophytic plant; they benefit from fires that destroy competitive plants. The Giant Sequoia trees of the US also survive fires and are are considered pyrophytes. However some plants are considered to be active pyrophtes because they encourage fires or the spread of fires. The Eucalyptus is an active pyrophyte because it produces inflammable oils. The carniverous Byblis genus of plants and cogongrass are other examples of fire adapted plants found in Australia. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia [3] https://www.britannica.com/list/5-amazing-adaptations-of-pyrophytic-plants https://www.britannica.com/list/5-amazing-adaptations-of-pyr... [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca_quinquenervia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca_quinquenervia