Low-flammability plant directory result of significant research

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University Associate Professor Tim Curran's research on plant flammability is being put to good use by Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Their tool, the plant flammability directory, has just been updated offering property owners and landscape architects an easy way of searching for low-flammability plant options to help mitigate fire risk on properties.

The plant flammability directory now holds information on up to 470 species, just in time for summer’s dry conditions and the subsequent heightened fire risk.

Planting low-flammability species is a good way for landowners to reduce wildfire risk and the intensity of fires, creating a less penetrable area around structures and other high-value assets such as crops, plantations, beehives, and utilities. 

Associate Professor Curran’s research and results have been compiled into the plant flammability directory. Using a plant BBQ, he has been able to test and measure the flammability of plants, understanding how long it takes for vegetation to ignite.

“A significant amount of work went into compiling a large list of species flammability over the past 12 years. This plant directory is an ideal reference point for people living in fire-prone areas or anyone concerned about a fire hazard and looking for suitable plant species to grow,” shares Associate Professor Curran.

The most important setting for considering plant flammability, says Associate Professor Curran, is where urban areas meet bushland or other vegetation as this is often where the most destructive wildfires occur. However, the directory is also a useful guide for owners of other fire-prone areas such as agricultural land.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s updated guidance on plant flammability can be filtered using options such as native or exotic, tree or shrub for ease of searching. It is important to note that this information is a guide with other factors influencing plant flammability such as their age and drought conditions. On this webpage too, are fire safety tips and a demonstration video of plant flammability using the plant barbecue at Lincoln University by alumnus and All Black great Samuel Whitelock.

The plant flammability list is the result of a collaboration between Associate Professor Curran and Professor George Perry of the University of Auckland, and work by three postdoctoral scholars Dr Sarah Wyse, Dr Josep Padulles Cubino and Dr Azhar Alam, four PhD students Dr Azhar Alam, Dr Xinglei Cui, Dr Niger Sultana and Dr Shanta Budha-Magar, several masters and honours students, and many undergraduate student, summer scholars and international interns.

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