FireApproved

United States / Grow / briar root

briar root (Erica arborea)
Photo: (c) Julian Oliver, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY), via iNaturalist. Species-typical, not necessarily this cultivar.

briar root

Erica arborea · Ericaceae · all Erica records · also called Tree heath · Wikipedia

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INRA and the European Scientific Journal place briar root at the high or extreme end of their scales, so it is not fire resistant near structures.

INRA’s Mediterranean forestry station recorded a July-to-September maximum of 5, the extreme end of its 0-to-5 inflammability scale. Its monthly notes varied through the year, beginning at 0 in May, rising to 3 in July, and reaching 5 in August. On this scale, a fire-season maximum of 4 or 5 supports avoiding the plant. The European Scientific Journal also placed fresh Erica arborea material in its high-flammability category, note 3, which applies when ignition delay is 65 seconds or less.

Other tests describe particular conditions without reversing those warnings. Annals of Forest Science measured fresh and oven-dried shoots, but the resulting clusters changed with fuel condition and were not reduced to one overall class. FLAMITS reports a separate ignitability measurement in which predried live leaves sampled in September took 13 seconds to produce flame in a calorimeter. Because the database does not apply one safety threshold across different variables, devices, and plant parts, that value is a measurement rather than a resistant rating.

Briar root is a shrub in the Ericaceae family. Results can change between fresh and dried shoots, but the sources that assign overall flammability categories place the species at the high or extreme end of their respective scales. For landscaping near buildings, the practical conclusion is avoidance.

Fire-resistant shrubs instead

Form
shrub
Region
Algeria; Croatia; France; Greece; Italy; Mediterranean France; Morocco; Spain
Rated in
Global; Mediterranean France / Provence; Tlemcen Mountains, western Algeria; Tlemcen, western Algeria
On this lot

1. Fire evidence and conditions

Fire evidence
Highly flammable — location does not change the cited classification.
Fire-performance conditions
1 condition stated in cited fire-evidence rows.
Placement evidence
1 source placement record; source schemes remain separate.
Evidence regions
Global; Mediterranean France / Provence; Tlemcen Mountains, western Algeria; Tlemcen, western Algeria

2. Why this plant is relevant here

3. Legal, ecological, and broader status

How to read this page

The status above is computed from the cited rows below: independent recommendations can support a fire-resistant result, an avoid row can produce keep-away, and disagreement stays visible as conflict. Placement notes preserve each source’s own scheme rather than translating unlike rules into one scale. This is evidence about a plant, not permission to plant it in every part of the defensible space; Zone 0 remains noncombustible.

Conditions in the fire evidence

These describe tested or rated plant material. They are not horticultural maintenance instructions.

Where its sources say to plant it

Placement rules below use each source's own distances or named zones, tied to its rating. They are not interchangeable with the directory's current Zone 0 guidance.

The evidence

Grouped by what each source concluded. Primary evidence rated the plant itself (a lab, field program, or original curation); corroboration compiled or republished another source's rating and resolves to its root lineage.

Avoids (2)

Mid-scale / conditional (1)

Listed without a rating (80)
Corroboration (80 rows from 1 source)

  • FLAMITS: FLAMmability plant traiTS database — Dryad / Global Ecology and Biogeography · Dryad version 9 · original source Corroboration Trait database lineage: meta-aggregator

    80 cited rows from this source; its identity, lineage and tier are stated once.

    • Primary study Dehane2017: Dehane, B., Hernando, C., Guijarro, M., & Madrigal, J. (2017). Flammability of some companion species in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forests. Annals of Forest Science, 74, 60.

      Shared row context: plant part leaves; fuel live; device calorimeter; site Dehane2017-1; sampling september.

      • “time to flaming (s): 13”

        FLAMITS record 2291; Ignitability measurement; predrying yes.

      • Shared measurement context: Combustibility measurement; predrying yes.

        • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 4769.75”

          FLAMITS record 2301.

        • “maximum energy flux (kW/m²): 262.71”

          FLAMITS record 2311.

      • “burnt biomass (%): 94”

        FLAMITS record 2321; Consumability measurement; predrying yes.

      • “time to flaming (s): 61”

        FLAMITS record 2331; Ignitability measurement; predrying no.

      • Shared measurement context: Combustibility measurement; predrying no.

        • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 395.23”

          FLAMITS record 2341.

        • “maximum energy flux (kW/m²): 156.23”

          FLAMITS record 2351.

      • “burnt biomass (%): 97.93”

        FLAMITS record 2361; Consumability measurement; predrying no.

    • Primary study Dimitrakopoulos2001: Dimitrakopoulos, A. P., & Panov, P. I. (2001). Pyric properties of some dominant Mediterranean vegetation species. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 10, 23-27.

      Shared row context: Combustibility measurement; fuel dead; predrying no; device calorimeter; site Dimitrakopoulos2001-1; sampling december.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5635.75”

        FLAMITS record 2955; plant part leaves.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 4622.37”

        FLAMITS record 2964; plant part stems.

    • Primary study Doat1981: Doat, J., Valette, J. C., Askri, D., Caumartin, L., Bettachini, M., & Moro, M. (1981). Le pouvoir calorifique supérieur d'espèces forestières méditerranéennes. Annales des Sciences forestières, 38, 469-486.

      Shared row context: Combustibility measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Doat1981-1; sampling ND.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5819”

        FLAMITS record 3007.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5821”

        FLAMITS record 3008.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5845”

        FLAMITS record 3009.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5875”

        FLAMITS record 3010.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5690”

        FLAMITS record 3011.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5695”

        FLAMITS record 3012.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5624”

        FLAMITS record 3013.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5610”

        FLAMITS record 3014.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5588”

        FLAMITS record 3015.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5614”

        FLAMITS record 3016.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5637”

        FLAMITS record 3017.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5649”

        FLAMITS record 3018.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5670”

        FLAMITS record 3019.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5625”

        FLAMITS record 3020.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5867”

        FLAMITS record 3021.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5894”

        FLAMITS record 3022.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5709”

        FLAMITS record 3023.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5699”

        FLAMITS record 3024.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5762”

        FLAMITS record 3025.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5796”

        FLAMITS record 3026.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5757”

        FLAMITS record 3027.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5758”

        FLAMITS record 3028.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5963”

        FLAMITS record 3029.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5981”

        FLAMITS record 3030.

    • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5491.07”

      FLAMITS record 3951; Combustibility measurement; plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device calorimeter; site Gillon1997-1; sampling june to september. Primary study Gillon1997: Gillon, D., Hernando, C., Valette, J.-C., & Joffre, R. (1997). Fast estimation of the calorific values of forest fuels by near infrared-reflectance spectroscopy. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 27, 760-765.

    • Primary study Hachmi2011: Hachmi, M. H., Sesbou, A., Benjelloun, H., El Handouz, N., & Bouanane, F. (2011). A Simple Technique to Estimate the Flammability Index of Moroccan Forest Fuels. Journal of Combustion, 2011, 1-11.

      Shared row context: plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Hachmi2011-1; sampling ND.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement.

        • “time to flaming (s): 9.6”

          FLAMITS record 4706.

        • “flammability value: 2.11”

          FLAMITS record 4800.

      • “flame height (cm): 9”

        FLAMITS record 4747; Combustibility measurement.

      • “burning duration (s): 23”

        FLAMITS record 4748; Sustainability measurement.

    • Primary study Henaoui2013: Henaoui, S. E. -A., Bouazza, M., & Amara, M. (2013). The fire risk of the plant groupings with Cistus in the area of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). European Scientific Journal, 9, 84-103.

      Shared row context: plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device infrared burner; site Henaoui2013-1; sampling spring.

      • “flame height (cm): 23.14”

        FLAMITS record 4882; Combustibility measurement.

      • “time to flaming (s): 23.47”

        FLAMITS record 4920; Ignitability measurement.

      • “burning duration (s): 175.62”

        FLAMITS record 4958; Sustainability measurement.

    • Primary study Madrigal2011a: Madrigal, J., Guijarro, M., Hernando, C., Díez, C., & Marino, E. (2011a). Effective Heat of Combustion for Flaming Combustion of Mediterranean Forest Fuels. Fire Technology, 47, 461-474.

      Shared row context: plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying no; device calorimeter; site Madrigal2011a-1; sampling ND.

      • “flaming duration (s): 47”

        FLAMITS record 7326; Sustainability measurement.

      • Shared measurement context: Combustibility measurement.

        • “maximum energy flux (kW/m²): 359”

          FLAMITS record 7346.

        • “mass loss rate (g/s): 0.06”

          FLAMITS record 7386.

        • “total heat release (MJ/m²): 19.19”

          FLAMITS record 7406.

      • “time to flaming (s): 7”

        FLAMITS record 7366; Ignitability measurement.

    • Primary study Martin1989: Martín, E., & Miguel, L. (1989). Inflamabilidad y energía de las especies de sotobosque

      Shared row context: plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device epiradiator; site Martin1989-2.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement; sampling march.

        • “time to flaming (s): 25”

          FLAMITS record 7667.

        • “ignition frequency (%): 100”

          FLAMITS record 8066.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement; sampling may.

        • “time to flaming (s): 25”

          FLAMITS record 7668.

        • “ignition frequency (%): 97”

          FLAMITS record 8067.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement; sampling july.

        • “time to flaming (s): 15”

          FLAMITS record 7669.

        • “ignition frequency (%): 100”

          FLAMITS record 8068.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement; sampling august.

        • “time to flaming (s): 17”

          FLAMITS record 7670.

        • “ignition frequency (%): 99”

          FLAMITS record 8069.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement; sampling september.

        • “time to flaming (s): 14”

          FLAMITS record 7671.

        • “ignition frequency (%): 100”

          FLAMITS record 8070.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement; sampling november.

        • “time to flaming (s): 20”

          FLAMITS record 7672.

        • “ignition frequency (%): 98”

          FLAMITS record 8071.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement; sampling december.

        • “time to flaming (s): 24”

          FLAMITS record 7673.

        • “ignition frequency (%): 98”

          FLAMITS record 8072.

      • “calorific value (kcal/kg): 5599”

        FLAMITS record 7893; Combustibility measurement; sampling ND.

      • “flammability value: 3”

        FLAMITS record 7940; Ignitability measurement; sampling ND.

    • Primary study Massari1998: Massari, G., & Leopaldi, A. (1998). Leaf flammability in Mediterranean species. Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 132, 29-38.

      Shared row context: plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying yes; device epiradiator; site Massari1998-1; sampling ND.

      • Shared measurement context: Ignitability measurement.

        • “time to flaming (s): 174”

          FLAMITS record 8955.

        • “time to flaming (s): 165”

          FLAMITS record 8961.

        • “time to smoke (s): 23”

          FLAMITS record 8989.

        • “time to smoke (s): 24”

          FLAMITS record 8995.

      • Shared measurement context: Combustibility measurement.

        • “maximum flame temperature (°C): 431”

          FLAMITS record 8972.

        • “maximum flame temperature (°C): 403”

          FLAMITS record 8978.

        • “maximum flame temperature (°C): 256”

          FLAMITS record 9006.

        • “maximum flame temperature (°C): 255”

          FLAMITS record 9012.

        • “maximum flame temperature (°C): 376”

          FLAMITS record 9039.

        • “maximum flame temperature (°C): 359”

          FLAMITS record 9045.

      • Shared measurement context: Sustainability measurement.

        • “smouldering duration (s): 119”

          FLAMITS record 9023.

        • “smouldering duration (s): 110”

          FLAMITS record 9029.

    • Primary study Rosavec2013: Rosavec, R., Šikic, Z., Španjol, Ž., & Barcic, D. (2013). Utjecaj meteoroloških ?imbenika na zapaljivost nekih sredozemnih vrsta. Šumarski list, 137, 583-590.

      Shared row context: Sustainability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; sampling june.

      • “flaming duration (s): 10.39”

        FLAMITS record 11635; site Rosavec2013-1.

      • “flaming duration (s): 11.23”

        FLAMITS record 11636; site Rosavec2013-2.

    • Primary study Valette1990: Valette, J.-C. (1990). Flammabilities of Mediterranean forest species. Effects on the combustibility of the forest communities inflammabilités des espèces forestières méditerranéennes. Conséquences sur la combustibilité des formations forestières. Revue forestière française, 42, 76-92.

      Shared row context: Ignitability measurement; plant part leaves; fuel live; predrying no; device epiradiator; site Valette1990-1; sampling june to september.

      • “flammability value: 3”

        FLAMITS record 13323.

      • “flammability value: 5”

        FLAMITS record 13324.

    • “time to flaming (s): 59”

      FLAMITS record 18331; Ignitability measurement; plant part twigs; fuel live; predrying yes; device epiradiator; site Delabraze1974-1; sampling june to september 1974. Primary study Delabraze1974: Delabraze, P., & Valette, J. -C. (1974). Inflammabilitéet combustibilitéde la végétation forestière méditerranéenne. Revue Forestiere Française, 26, 171–177.

Fire-resistant shrubs instead

mastic tree
Pistacia lentiscus salvia cistus
Cistus salvaefolius slender myoporum
Myoporum parvifolium kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kurrajong
Brachychiton populneus Spiny Broom
Calycotoma spinosa

Fire-resistant shrubs listed above

Same genus in the directory · the Erica group page

Last verified 2026-08-23. JSON (CC BY 4.0)

Profiles: USDA PLANTS · GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Wikipedia · ITIS

Erica arborea (Tree heath). FireApproved. https://fireapproved.com/plants/erica-arborea/. Last verified 2026-08-23.