Crown sprouting is the ability of a plant to regenerate its shoot system after destruction (usually by fire) by activating dormant vegetative structures to produce regrowth from the root crown (the junction between the root and shoot portions of a plant).
[1] These dormant structures take the form of lignotubers or basal epicormic buds.
[2] In contrast to plant fire survival strategies that decrease the flammability of the plant, or by requiring heat to germinate, crown sprouting allows for the total destruction of the above ground growth.
[3] Some genera, such as Arctostaphylos and Ceanothus, have species that are both resprouters and not, both adapted to fire.
[citation needed] California Buckeye, Aesculus californica, is an example of a western United States tree which can regenerate from its root crown after a fire event, but can also regenerate by seed.