Epiphyte (plant): what it is and where it grows

There are many interesting things in the plant world. Some of its representatives catch and eat insects. Others climbed on themselves similar to survive. So comes the epiphyte - a plant that had to fight for life in difficult conditions. Thanks to this method of survival, the epiphytes could get more air, light and protect themselves from animals. But at the same time they do not harm their "home", if they are not too much on it.

Where do plant epiphytes grow?

For a comfortable existence, they choose trunks or even leaves of trees. Plants-epiphytes in large numbers are found in tropical forests. The latter are dense thickets, which do not allow penetrating sunlight to the soil itself. Therefore, plants that for a variety of reasons were not able to grow a strong tree trunk that could serve as a support for them and raise the height, tried to survive in a different way. They had to reach out to the sunlight, using the help of their fellows. Plants-epiphytes rose up the trunks and branches of trees. So they acted not only in the rainforests, but also everywhere, where there were not enough living conditions, for example, in shady fir groves or crevices of mountains. If in the tropics the epiphyte is a herbaceous plant, then in the rocks and coniferous forests it is mosses, ferns or lichens.

Multi-storey building

In the tropics, these representatives of the flora can choose the tier on which they will settle. Some of them are shade-loving and do not rise high. They do not need a lot of sunlight. Others need it, so they get higher. At the highest "floors", epiphytic plants grow only if they can withstand unfavorable conditions: low humidity, windy, fluctuating air temperature, and lack of nutrients.

If in another way it does not work out

How do they survive without the ability to get everything they need to grow and live from the soil? The fact is that the epiphyte is a plant that actively uses everything that the environment gives it: it collects rainwater, dew, organic substances from the surface of the plant-support and the products of the vital activity of birds and animals. Do epiphytes in a variety of ways, depending on which have a different structure. Some of them collect moisture and can store it up to 5 liters, due to the fact that they have the shape of an outlet. Others have leaves in the form of a pocket or funnel, in which moisture also accumulates. Still others try to hold water, forming around themselves a "nest" from the fallen leaves of other plants and various wastes of the living world.

Reproduction of epiphytes

We know of several ways to reproduce the representatives of the flora. But not all of them are suitable for plants-epiphytes. They chose the most popular and easy way - multiplying by seeds, which fly by the wind from tree to tree. In some species, they are small and light, others have special devices that facilitate travel through the air. Sometimes the seeds of epiphytes carry animals or plants. It happens that these plants accidentally find themselves in a new place for them. This happens when animals or birds carry them. An interesting way to move is in Tillandsia. This plant is fixed on a tree, lowering down its long light shoots, which easily come off under the influence of wind and turn out to be on another tree.

We must hold on

To quickly gain a foothold and begin to grow on a new support, epiphytes have the ability to quickly grow roots. Even the smallest cling to the trunk or branch, sometimes encircling them, as if tying the plant so that it could not budge. It is interesting that the roots of epiphytes play the role of holders, and many of them have lost the ability to absorb nutrients, but they ensure the breathing of the plant. The additional function of the epiphyte roots is protective. They often grow sharp spikes, not allowing them to break their master or eat. However, there are certain types of insects, for which this is not a hindrance, and they destroy leaves and roots (for example, tropical ants).

Epiphytes: examples of plants

Let's get acquainted with the phalaenopsis orchids. About its appearance is the translation of its name - "like a butterfly." This beautiful flower grows in Australia, New Guinea, South and Southeast Asia, as well as on the islands of the Malay Archipelago. His homeland - a forest with high humidity and air temperature. For life, he chooses the uppermost branches of trees, for which he clings to the roots. The accumulation of water contributes to its large fleshy leaves. And at night it is stored by carbon dioxide.

The platitserium is called "deer horn" in another way. This fern grows on trees in the tropics. In nature, it reaches a gigantic size. There are several varieties of this plant, but they all look like leaves that resemble flat antler or moose antlers . But at the same time other leaves grow on the platitserium. They have a concave shape and serve to collect organic substances. Horny leaves are covered with silvery fluff, which also catches nutrients from the air and helps the life of the fern.

Interestingly, the epiphyte is a plant that can be grown at home. People loved them for their decorativeness and unpretentiousness. For example, platitserium placed in the shade, observe the temperature regime, periodically sprayed, and it pleases its owners with an unusual kind.

What plant epiphytes grow in our homes

Another tropical inhabitant, who settled in our apartments - is heath. It has bright leaves of beautiful coloration. To keep it you need diffuse light. It is interesting that they water the stems by pouring water into the outlet, which the experienced plant growers recommend from time to time to dab with a napkin to fill with fresh moisture. It is interesting that although the faith is an epiphyte, in the room conditions it is planted in the ground.

Soil and leaves are recommended to be sprayed to maintain moisture. Just like other similar plants, they feed fodder by sprinkling the leaves, since the roots are weak and unable to absorb nutrients to the full.

To see the flower of the tree, it must be kept in a warm place. And if this does not help, then one unusual method will help to accelerate flowering. It is necessary to put a ripe fruit near the pot, a banana is better. It will produce ethylene gas, which promotes flowering.

Not like everyone else

Another householder, who is planted in the soil, is the cactus ripsalis. He does not look like we can imagine. It does not have a round or oval shape and is not covered with spines. Ripsalis is an armful of thin long stems descending downward. They are covered with hairs and in diameter have only 1-3 mm. This cactus blooms in winter. All shoots at this time are covered with small white or pinkish funnel-shaped flowers. Care for ripsalis is not complicated. The main thing is to choose a suitable place, so that it will not be hot or dry. In general, the limitation for growing epiphytes at home is the impossibility of creating suitable conditions. In order for it to be successful, a person continues to study and study their life in nature.

The world of epiphytic plants is large and diverse. It is impossible to tell about everyone in the framework of one article. They not only set an example of survival in difficult conditions, they learn not to surrender and fight for life to the end, but also decorate the Earth. Not for nothing from the distant tropical countries, representatives of the epiphyte class - orchids - have penetrated to us and have become one of the most beloved colors.