Mediterranean-type scrub, such as chaparral (A), shares with heaths a 
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dependence on fire. Dominant plants, such as chamise 
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(Adenostoma 
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fasciculatum),
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 and species of 
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Arctostaphylos
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 and 
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Caenothus
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 outlive many 
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of the surrounding plants, which, however, have set seeds that lie dormant. 
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These species also inhibit the growth of herbaceous plants by producing 
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phenolic toxins, which seep into the ground around them. Fires occur 
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naturally every 15 to 20 years (B), fueled by the dead branches of the 
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chamise and its resinous leaves. They burn off the toxins and cut back the 
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spreading chamise, which survives as underground stems. Fire also induces 
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germination of dormant seeds of other plants. For a few years an 
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herbaceous layer establishes itself (C), until the sprouting chamise starts to 
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accumulate and exude its toxins once more.