While we have featured a number of the amazing animals we have seen on this journey, we haven't been able to say much about the plants of the rainforest. I want to introduce you to one of the wild plants in the jungle that helps make this habitat special.

There are a number of plants here called epiphytes, or sometimes known as "airplants." They obtained this name because they do not have roots growing into the ground and appear to live on air alone. "Epiphyte" is a general term for many plants such as ferns, mosses, orchids, bromeliads, cacti, and trees that live on or attached to other plants.

Paddling through the rainforest, we have seen many of these plants growing right on the side of taller trees. They have adapted to do this so they have a better chance of getting sunlight in this thick forest. These plants have had to develop a number of unique features to live so far above the forest floor.

First, it is hard for these plants to get water. Because of this they are very efficient and make the most of the water they can get. Also, some of them have water storage tanks where they can catch rainwater. Some bromelaid tanks can hold up to 2 gallons of H2O!

Secondly, these plants have to deal with severe mineral shortages. Since they can't get nutrients through roots, they have adapted to collect falling litter from other trees or the waste of insects and use these things for their necessary minerals.

Epiphytes can be detrimental to the host tree, but they are rarely parasitic (causing real harm). Some trees have adapted to these "hangers on" by developing really smooth bark and leaves to prevent them from getting started. Other trees have the ability to shed their bark. The flaky skins on the trees fall off and dislodge the epiphytes.

Here are some cool pictures of epiphytes we have seen so far!

Jesse

(Some information from "Tropical Nature." Forsyth and Miyata.)