Plants of the Rain Forest
Plants
Lianas
Description: Lianas are woody vines that climb and drape trees in the rainforest. Many lianas start life in the canopy and work their way down.
Adaption: Though this plant's roots are in the ground, it climbs high through the tree canopy to reach the sunlight above.
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Drip Tips
Description: These "drip tips" are the leaves of trees and other plants in the rain forests.
Adaption: Because there is so much rain in the rain forests, and too much rain can lead to fungus or bacteria growing because of the warm incubating climate of the area, the drip tips are designed for rain to fall more quickly from the leaves of the plant so as to protect it.
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Epiphytes
Description: Plants that live on the surface of other plants (mostly plant trunks or branches) are called epiphytes. Orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and Philodendron relatives are all examples of epiphytes as well as small plants called more specifically epiphylls which are mostly mosses, liverworts, or lichens, live on the surface of leaves as opposed to the trunk or branches of the plants.
Adaption: The epiphytes grown on the trees in order to take the sunlight from the canopy that they may otherwise not be able to get at lower levels.
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Bromeliads
Description: Bromeliads are found almost all only in the Americas. Some grow on the ground, such as pineapple, but most of the species grow on branches of trees. The leaves form a tank like area that holds water. The plant's small roots anchor them to plants or branches for support and their broad leaf bases form another water-holding tank. The tank's capacity is easily from a pint to 12 gallons or more.
Adaption: These tanks support a thriving eco-system containing bacteria, protozoa, miniscule crustaceans, tadpoles, birds, salamanders, frogs, and mosquito and dragonfly larvae.
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Mangroves
Description: Mangroves grow on tropical deltas and along ocean edges or river estuaries. These trees have very wide spread stilt roots.
Adaption: These trees are able to live in very wet and marshy conditions. Also, their stilt like roots not only support the trees in tidal mud but also trap nutritious organic matter for the tree's use.
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