Ferns and moss are common epiphyte plants found in the rain forest. Ferns and moss grow on trees, but unlike many plants, they do not drain vital nutrients from the host. Rather, they gather nutrients from the falling rain. These plants grow on the trees because they cannot self-maintain by growing in the ground. Ferns and moss are also designed specifically to hold water.
Orchids are one of the most common epiphytes found in the rain forest. Orchids are flowering plants that come in more than 18,000 species. Large roots and secondary stems help these flowering epiphytes retain water when conditions become dry. Orchids come in all sorts of colors, from white to purple to brown. Certain species can only be found in certain regions of the rain forest, such as the orchids that appear in the Andean valleys.
Though most people picture the typical Saguaro cactus of the arid southwestern deserts, cacti in the rain forest are very different from desert cacti. While desert cacti have thick stems that retain water and spikes to keep animals away, cacti in the rain forest have no spikes and have elongated, smooth leaves that absorb light amounts of water rather than retaining water. These cacti, along with other epiphytes, do not grow in the ground to obtain moisture.
Bromeliads are a variety of epiphytic plants that have a unique system for retaining water. Bromeliads have leaves that face upwards and collect water for storage. These leaves can hold up to 25 gallons of water at a time, creating a habitat for animals in the forest. The water provided by bromeliads creates a watering hole for animals like monkeys, birds, larvae, tree snakes and lizards. These plants also have the ability to increase the humidity in the rain forest, making it easier for trees and other plants to absorb nitrogen in the air.
