Epiphytes

Another fascinating group of plants is epiphytes, often seen in tropical environments because they thrive in warm, humid climates with plenty of rainfall. Epiphytes need sufficient sunlight and air circulation and hence are typically found on the branches and trunks of tall trees, especially in the rainforest canopy. Examples of epiphytes found in the Amazon are bromeliads, orchids and ferns.

Bromeliads are beautiful plants with striking rosette-shaped leaves and colourful flowers. Not all bromeliads are epiphytic. Some grow on the ground or on rocks. But the species in the Amazon is epiphytic and often called an 'air plant' because it absorbs atmospheric nutrients and moisture. They provide a habitat and food for tree frogs, salamanders and insects.

The stunning orchid can grow on the forest floor, the canopy, or other plants as an epiphyte. There are so many varieties – at least 30,000 species worldwide – that new species are constantly being discovered. Some species can live up to 100 years, outliving most of us. Adapting to the Amazon environment, the orchids have thin, long leaves that absorb the needed moisture. Orchids are highly deceptive pollinators. They use every trick in the book to reproduce. For instance, the bee orchid has petals like a female bee, luring the male bee to mate. The male then gets covered in pollen and carries it off to the next orchid it visits.

Another example is the bucket orchid, whose bucket-shaped flower is designed to trap the bee inside, where it spends the night collecting pollen. The next day, the bee escapes and carries the pollen to another flower. Lastly, the delicate and gorgeous hummingbird has a special relationship with pollinating orchids and bromeliads. In a nutshell, the brightly coloured orchids reproduce by attracting pollinators to their nectar.

Overall, epiphytes have a unique symbiotic relationship with their host trees, using them as a physical support system and a platform to catch sunlight and moisture. It is believed that the host is not harmed by the epiphyte clinging to it, but further studies are needed.