Epiphytes Adaptations

Epiphytes are a unique class of plants that have adapted to live without being rooted in soil. They accomplish this by using other plants as platforms from which they can reach better growing conditions - specifically better lighting conditions. Thus, while epiphytes grow on other plants they are not parasitic in nature as they do not harm their "host" plant for their nutrient base, but rather simply use them as a sort of ladder or "step-up" to gain better access to sun light and water.

How do Epiphytes get nutrients?

There are many different species of epiphytes and each gets their nutrients in a variety of ways. Some have developed "storage tanks" in which the leaves of the epiphyte are rolled tightly together forming funnel like arrangements which trap and store rain water, decaying plant matter and other useful sources of nutrients. Some types of epiphytes have developed adaptations that allow them to trap falling leaves. Then once they have trapped the leaves they grow roots from their stems that grow into the trapped leaves and absorb nutrients from the decaying plant matter.

However, the most common adaptation of epiphytes is the adaptation of the intertwined aerial root system. These aerial roots are exactly what the name suggests. They are roots that dangle in the air rather than being submerged in soil. Because these root systems are not buried in the ground they have certain adaptations that allow them to absorb water from the atmosphere. One such adaptation is a thick layer of dead cells which covers the roots and. This covering of dead cells is known as the velamen. When the velamen has absorbed a sufficient amount of water from the air it becomes transparent. This allows sunlight to reach the live root tissue underneath the velamen and begin the process of photosynthesis.

Where epiphytes grow

Because of the epiphytes adaptations you can probably guess where most grow. Most are found in tropical and subtropical regions where there is a high humidity level so the plants can absorb water from the atmosphere. However, they also grow in dense moist forest areas such as the pacific north-west costal area in the U.S. and the Cornwall area in south western Ireland.

Sources:

Epiphytes, Rainforest Canopy, Rainforest.mongabay.com