epiphyte
Non-parasitic plant lodger
An epiphyte is a plant that grows on another plant for physical support without drawing nutrients from it—unlike a parasite.
Orchids, many ferns, and Spanish moss are common epiphytes, anchoring themselves to tree branches or trunks while gathering moisture and nutrients from the air and rain.
The rainforest canopy was draped with epiphytes.
Showy tropical flower
- bromeliadTropical plant, often epiphytic
- staghornBranching cervid headgear
- airplantSoilless growing flora
- fernSpore-spreading vascular plant
anthurium · elkhorn · hoya · pothos · philodendron
Overhead protective covering
- non-parasiticNot dependent on hosts
- arborealOf or in trees
- perchResting spot for birds
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
microhabitat · humidity · bark · branch · crotch · crown · foliage · detritus
Harmless biological freeloader
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
- cyanobacteriaPhotosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen
Of hot, humid regions
- jungleDense tropical forest
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- understoryForest's lower vegetation tier
- emergentNewly come into existence
liana · equatorial · monsoon · buttress-roots · flora · neotropical
Gripping without release
- suspendedHalted or hanging temporarily
- perchingResting while gripping
- anchoredFixed securely in position
- rootedFirmly established in place
hanging · clasping · gripping · holdfast · adventitious · climbing · scrambling · draping
Moist and flavorful
- trichomesEpidermal outgrowths on plants
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- tankLarge storage vessel
- rosetteCircular ribbon ornament
orchid
Showy tropical flower
canopy
Overhead protective covering
- non-parasiticNot dependent on hosts
- arborealOf or in trees
- perchResting spot for birds
substrate · microhabitat · humidity · bark · branch · crotch · crown · foliage · detritus · moisture
commensal
Harmless biological freeloader
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
tropical
Of hot, humid regions
- jungleDense tropical forest
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- understoryForest's lower vegetation tier
emergent · liana · equatorial · monsoon · buttress-roots · flora · neotropical
clinging
Gripping without release
- suspendedHalted or hanging temporarily
- perchingResting while gripping
- anchoredFixed securely in position
rooted · hanging · clasping · gripping · holdfast · adventitious · climbing · scrambling · draping · festooning
succulent
Moist and flavorful
- trichomesEpidermal outgrowths on plants
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- tankLarge storage vessel
- forest lifesquirrel, fox, rabbit, owl, woodpecker
- rainforestrainforest, jungle, tropical, tropics, canopy
- rainforeststropical rainforest, canopy layer, forest floor, emergent layer, understory
- tropical plantshibiscus, bougainvillea, frangipani, mahogany, palm trees
- tropicsequator, tropical climate, coconut tree, tropical, tropical zone
- rainforest ecologyrainforest, jungle, canopy, understory, liana
epiphyteparasite
One exploiting a host
hemiparasite · mistletoe · aquatic plant · dodder · strangler fig