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Field data collection took place May to September of 2018. Sampling dates were set to capture seasonal differences in plant community composition (spring, summer, and fall). Annual leaf-out and first bloom data from the National Phenology Network was assessed to determine the start of the sampling season and monthly samples were taken thereafter. Each randomly selected site in ESRI ArcMap represented a 90 x 90 m area of a single burn severity category. In the field, from the center point of the 90 x 90 m site located with a GPS unit, we randomly selected two 1x1 m permanent plots that we marked with metal pins and flags. We used a 1x1 m quadrat to survey and identify each individual plant in the understory to at least genus level (plant taxa richness), and to count the number of individuals for each taxon (stem count). Our plot size selection was based on National Ecological Observatory Network protocol. We surveyed the 36 plots five times in 2018 (spring: 20 April-4 May; summer: 4-6 June, 16-18 July, 13-15 August; and fall: 14-16 September). We generated taxa lists and count of individuals per taxa by aggregating plot level records by month. We used field guides and dichotomous keys to identify to genus or species all herbaceous and woody plants (vines, shrubs, and tree seedlings) within the quadrat. Unidentified plants were photographed, and specimens were collected from outside of the plots to reduce disturbance within the established long-term plots. Individuals that could not be identified to at least genus level due to immature characteristics or herbivore damage were assigned observational taxonomic unit numbers (OTUs).