Knowra Epiphyte Epiphyte An epiphyte is a plant that grows on another plant for physical support without taking nutrients from it. It obtains water and nutrients from sources such as rain, debris, and air.
Velamen : A porous outer layer of cells covering the roots of many orchids and other plants. In many epiphytes, this root covering rapidly absorbs water from rain and humid air.
Commensalism : A biological interaction in which one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Epiphytes typically gain support while leaving their host largely unaffected.
Orchid : A flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae, known for distinctive flowers and diverse growth habits. Many orchids are epiphytes, making them familiar examples of this way of life.
Canopy soil : Organic material accumulated among branches, roots, and epiphyte mats in forest canopies. Epiphytes help trap and build the organic layers that become canopy soil.
CAM photosynthesis : A photosynthetic pathway that takes in carbon dioxide mainly at night to reduce water loss. Some epiphytes use this pathway to conserve water in exposed, intermittently dry habitats.
Vascular plant : A plant with specialized tissues that transport water, minerals, and sugars through its body. Many familiar epiphytes, including orchids and ferns, are vascular plants.
Bromeliad : A flowering plant in the family Bromeliaceae, native mainly to the Americas. Numerous bromeliads grow epiphytically and collect water in leaf rosettes.
Bromeliad tank : A water-holding reservoir formed by overlapping leaves in some bromeliads. Tank-forming epiphytes create small aquatic habitats for canopy animals and microbes.
Aerial root : A root that grows above ground rather than within soil. Epiphytes often use aerial roots to absorb moisture and anchor themselves to supports.
Nonvascular plant : A plant lacking specialized vascular tissues for transporting water and nutrients over long distances. Mosses and liverworts can grow epiphytically, though they are not vascular plants.
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