Rex Trulove
Even if you’ve never heard the term ‘epiphyte’, you are probably aware of some epiphytes. There are around 27,000 species of epiphytes that are terrestrial and some species even live in the sea. They are found from the tropics to the temperate regions. Many are exceptionally beautiful, too.
What is an epiphyte?
The word ‘epiphyte’ comes from the Greek for “upon” (epi-) “plant” (phyton). They are literally plants that grow on other plants, without being parasites to the host plant. Most epiphytes don’t harm the host plant, though there are exceptions.
The host plant merely gives the epiphyte a platform to grow on while allowing the epiphyte the means to get to the sunlight. This can be quite important in forest environments, where the trees block sunlight from reaching the ground. In fact, an epiphyte is any plant that doesn’t grow on the ground but does grow on other plants or surfaces, without being parasites.
They take a wide range of forms and many are even grown as houseplants. As houseplants, they are often called ‘air plants’.
Epiphyte forms
About 24,000 species of epiphytic plants are flowering plants. Orchids are common examples. There are many species of orchids, many of which are of exceptional beauty, and easily the majority of the 27.000 species of epiphytes are flowering plants.
Various species of ferns make up about 10% of epiphyte species. Indeed, around 33% of all fern species are epiphytic.
Different species of mosses make up most of the rest of the epiphytes, though there are epiphytic bromeliads, cycads, and even cacti.
So-called ‘Spanish moss’ (Tillandsia useneoides) is an epiphyte that grows on trees. The common name is a misnomer as Spanish moss doesn’t come from Spain and it isn’t moss. It is actually a flowering plant and is a bromeliad. Bromeliads are the pineapple family, though pineapple, the representative species, isn’t an epiphyte. Spanish moss definitely is.
How do epiphytes survive?
Epiphytic plants get the water they need to survive from the air and from rainfall. Sometimes the water is absorbed by roots, though not all epiphytes have roots. Some epiphytes absorb water through the leaves and some even have leaves that act as water basins, catching and holding water. A number of animals take advantage of these air-borne pools and in fact, there are species of frogs that lay eggs and develop in epiphyte pools.
Nutrients come from material washed down from the tree or other plants, from decaying plant matter or debris, and even from insects that get trapped in water pools.
Many epiphytes also produce a staggering number of seeds. Orchids, for instance, often produce millions of tiny seeds. This ensures that at least some of them will land on a branch or crevice in the bark where it can grow into an adult epiphyte.
Epiphytes are interesting because of how and where they grow. They are often of exceptional beauty. In some places, they are also so numerous that are are substantially more epiphytes than there are host plants to grow on.
These are fascinating plants which I have demonstrated a proficiency at killing the ones I’ve bought.
LOL I’d say that you aren’t alone in that, Gary. Most people, myself included, try to treat them like regular houseplants. They aren’t regular houseplants, though, so they require substantially different handling.
Enjoyed this reminder of these plants because I’ve always found the ability of resurrection fern to quickly resurrect just amazing. The flowering epiphytic plants you show are beautiful.
I totally agree. So many of them are either pretty or are interesting in one way or another. There are pitcher plants that are epiphytic and quite curious in form.
I’ve never seen plants like that before. They are so beautiful.
Many are astonishingly beautiful. Others might be a little less so, like Spanish moss, club moss, and lichens. Still, many are breathtaking.
wow, These all fower is very beautiful.
Yes, they are. Some are also found only in the upper part of the canopy, far above the ground. Because of this, there are some epiphytic flowers, such as in the Brazilian jungles, that have rarely or never been seen by man. They live a hundred feet or more above the forest floor.
Oh my! I don’t know whether to describe this flower as exquisite or enchanting. I think it’s exquisitely enchanting.
There are many epiphytes that are stunningly beautiful. The blue flower in one of the pictures is an orchid and many other orchids are literally awesome. The bromeliad in the top photo is also gorgeous (to me).