I was just considering something: Does negative energy effect plants and plant based creatures?
-> If yes and extrapolating the concept - would a cleric that is channeling negative energy kill off most vegetation in the burst effect?
Negative energy can harm all living creatures. It doesn't matter if they are human, treant, or demon. Negative energy will harm them (unless they have some special ability that says otherwise.)
And no. A cleric channeling negative energy will not kill all the plants in the area. Channeling only ever effects one of two groups: living creatures, or undead creatures. Normal plants are not creatures, and so would be totally unaffected. (Though plant creatures are, of course, creatures.)
No problems, I've come with an official response for you!
"Creature: A creature is an active participant in the story
or world. This includes PCs, NPCs, and monsters."
If the foliage is an active participant in the story of your world, then they are harmed by channeled negative energy.
No problems, I've come with an official response for you!
"Creature: A creature is an active participant in the story
or world. This includes PCs, NPCs, and monsters."
Source: Creature
Fair enough.
One final thought before I put this thought experiment to rest - How would people treat things like Violet Fungus and Shriekers?