epiphytic
Grows on others
Epiphytic describes plants that grow on other plants without parasitizing them.
Orchids, many ferns, and Spanish moss are epiphytic—they anchor themselves to tree branches or trunks but draw nutrients from air, rain, and debris rather than their hosts.
The rainforest canopy supported dozens of epiphytic species.
Tropical plant, often epiphytic
- orchidShowy tropical flower
- fernSpore-spreading vascular plant
- mossSpore-bearing ground cover
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
trichomes · non-parasitic · perching · anchoring · staghorn · substrate · rhizome · holdfast
Symbiotic rock dweller
- cyanobacteriaPhotosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
Overhead protective covering
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- branchDivision or woody limb
- trunkMain stem or storage
bark · crotch · microclimate · humidity · understory · montane · misty · suspended
Neutral host, benefiting guest
- microhabitatSmall distinct living area
- nicheRecessed wall space
- successionFollowing in order
- biodiversityRange of life forms
bromeliad
Tropical plant, often epiphytic
lichen · trichomes · non-parasitic · perching · anchoring · staghorn · substrate · rhizome · holdfast
lichen
Symbiotic rock dweller
- cyanobacteriaPhotosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
canopy
Overhead protective covering
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- branchDivision or woody limb
trunk · bark · crotch · microclimate · humidity · understory · montane · misty · suspended · elevated
commensalism
Neutral host, benefiting guest
- microhabitatSmall distinct living area
- nicheRecessed wall space
- successionFollowing in order
vanilla
Orchid pod extract
epiphyticterrestrial
Relating to land
ground-dwelling · grounded · rooted · earth-bound · aquatic