Underground carbohydrate stores and storage organs in fire‐maintained longleaf pine savannas in Florida, USA

Premise Many perennial herbaceous plants develop underground storage organs (USOs) that store carbohydrates, water, and minerals. The resprouting ability of is influenced by the availability these materials type organ number viable buds. In this study, we illustrate diversity longleaf pine savanna species their nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) pools concentrations. We also determined whether NSC concentrations USO are good predictors in with different types structures. Methods excavated entirety 1–4 individuals each 100 ground-layer species, classified types, measured pools. Results varied widely among sampled. Surprisingly, fibrous roots Pityopsis graminifolia stored higher NSCs than many USOs. relationship between was strong after controlling for biomass. Conclusions Our results revealed high savannas. It showed USOs reach levels. Predictions pool sizes from interpretable, when corrections biomass considered. Research on would benefit inclusion morphological-anatomical analyses phylogenetic controls to promote use data broad-scale analyses.