Fire has shaped plant traits throughout evolutionary history, not just in the Neogene period. Traits like resprouting, serotiny, and heat/smoke-induced germination are adaptive in fire-prone environments, but plants are not adapted to fire per se, but to specific fire regimes. Fire-adaptive traits may result from different evolutionary pathways, and distinguishing between adaptations and exaptations is challenging. Fire has been a key evolutionary pressure since the Silurian period, with evidence of fire-adaptive traits in Mesozoic fossils. Fire-adaptive traits vary with fire regimes, and species can be threatened when fire regimes change. Adaptive traits provide a fitness advantage in a given environment. In fire-prone environments, traits like thick bark, self-pruning, and serotiny are adaptive. However, these traits may have originated from other environmental pressures and been co-opted for fire-prone environments. For example, serotiny in Australian plants may have evolved in response to fire, but Bradshaw et al. argue it is linked to soil fertility. This is debated, as low soil fertility may select for traits like small leaves and sclerophylly, which increase fire likelihood. Heat-shock triggered germination and smoke-induced germination are traits that may have evolved in response to fire, but their origins are unclear. The compound karrikinolide, found in smoke, may trigger germination in many species, but its role in fire adaptation is debated. Flammability traits, such as small leaves and retention of dead fuels, may enhance fire frequency and intensity, but their adaptive value is not fully understood. Fire-adaptive traits are shaped by multiple evolutionary pressures, and it is not always clear whether they are adaptations to fire or exaptations from other factors. Understanding these traits is crucial for fire management, as they influence plant resilience and ecosystem dynamics. While some traits may have evolved in response to fire, others may have originated from different selective pressures. The evolutionary history of fire-adaptive traits is complex, and distinguishing between adaptations and exaptations remains a challenge.Fire has shaped plant traits throughout evolutionary history, not just in the Neogene period. Traits like resprouting, serotiny, and heat/smoke-induced germination are adaptive in fire-prone environments, but plants are not adapted to fire per se, but to specific fire regimes. Fire-adaptive traits may result from different evolutionary pathways, and distinguishing between adaptations and exaptations is challenging. Fire has been a key evolutionary pressure since the Silurian period, with evidence of fire-adaptive traits in Mesozoic fossils. Fire-adaptive traits vary with fire regimes, and species can be threatened when fire regimes change. Adaptive traits provide a fitness advantage in a given environment. In fire-prone environments, traits like thick bark, self-pruning, and serotiny are adaptive. However, these traits may have originated from other environmental pressures and been co-opted for fire-prone environments. For example, serotiny in Australian plants may have evolved in response to fire, but Bradshaw et al. argue it is linked to soil fertility. This is debated, as low soil fertility may select for traits like small leaves and sclerophylly, which increase fire likelihood. Heat-shock triggered germination and smoke-induced germination are traits that may have evolved in response to fire, but their origins are unclear. The compound karrikinolide, found in smoke, may trigger germination in many species, but its role in fire adaptation is debated. Flammability traits, such as small leaves and retention of dead fuels, may enhance fire frequency and intensity, but their adaptive value is not fully understood. Fire-adaptive traits are shaped by multiple evolutionary pressures, and it is not always clear whether they are adaptations to fire or exaptations from other factors. Understanding these traits is crucial for fire management, as they influence plant resilience and ecosystem dynamics. While some traits may have evolved in response to fire, others may have originated from different selective pressures. The evolutionary history of fire-adaptive traits is complex, and distinguishing between adaptations and exaptations remains a challenge.