How Epiphytes Thrive: Key Features and Survival Strategies
It is a kind of organism that grows on the surface of plants and uses its nutrients from rain, air, water(underground level), and decomposed material around its surroundings. Some plants are born to be epiphytic, some convert them into epiphytic based on their demand but one thing is common between both of them i.e the need for humidity and frequent showers. They are usually found in temperate zone conditions like mosses, liverworts, algae, etc. But epiphytes are not the same as parasitic plants as epiphytes need other plants only for their support purpose, they don't show any negative impact on the host plants. Instead of that, they give rich and diverse habitat to other organisms including fungi, bacteria, etc.
The term epiphytes mean air plants and they usually grow on top of the plants. They normally have harmless nature on host plants and they grow without soil but sometimes they also grow on certain substances like leaf debris, moss caught in between tree branches.
Picture of Epiphytes
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Adaptive Abilities and Features of Epiphytes
They have no attachment to the ground so they are called air plants and they get nutrients from leaves and other debris material.
They are mostly in densely shaded forests where there is less sunlight source.
They are mainly found in tropical as well as temperate regions.
They provide a rich and diverse habitat for other organisms including animals, fungi, bacteria, etc.
Some epiphytes have roots and their main function is to absorb moisture from the soil.
In the case of some epiphytes, roots are developed in a parasitic way by which they absorb water from host plants.
Epiphytes have aerial roots i.e they are present in the air.
If orchids are in the thick format they can conserve water.
Most of the epiphytes are fleshy and edible as fruits.
Some epiphytes are very choosy about their host, for example, Tortola.
Leaves of certain epiphytes are modified into pitchers to collect rainwater.
Seeds of epiphytes have easy dispersal properties so that they can be dispersed from one place to another.
Types of Epiphytes
1. Terrestrial Epiphytes: These are epiphytes that grow in terrestrial environments like mosses, orchids, etc. Most of the terrestrial epiphytes are flowering plants. Further, these epiphytes are divided into types they are:
Holo-epiphytes: They spend their whole life without coming in contact with soil.
Hemi-epiphytes: They spend half of their life without coming in contact with soil and half of their life with coming in contact with soil.
2. Marine Ecosystem: Marine epiphytes show different features from the terrestrial ecosystem. Marine epiphytes contain species like algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, mollusks, etc. Algae are the most common type of marine ecosystem. Epiphytes in marine systems are known to grow quickly with very faster generation times than terrestrial epiphytes.
Example of Epiphytes
Epiphytes are categorised into different types based on their living habitat:
Holo-epiphytes: Epiphytes which can complete their whole life cycle without coming in contact with soil. Example: Orchids
Hemi-epiphytes: Epiphytes who spend half of their life without soil and half of their life with soil i.e in contact with the ground. Example: Strangler fig.
Proto-epiphytes: They totally depend on their host for their nourishments. Example; ferns, lichens, orchids, liverworts, etc.
Example of Different Families of Ecosystem
Orchids: They are found in different shapes, patterns, colors and sizes. They are known to be the largest flowering plants and they mainly grow on mango branches.
Ferns: They grow in moist areas. Example: Asplenium.
Epiphytic Cacti: They mainly grow in rainforests. They anchor on tree branches with their roots and they collect water and nutrients from them.
Difference between Parasitic and Epiphytic Plants
Similarities Between Parasites and Epiphytes
There are not too many similarities between parasites and epiphytes, but some of the similarities are given below:
Both parasitic and epiphytic plants depend on hosts for their living support.
Both of them need a host for physical support also.
What are Parasites?
A parasite is nothing but a plant or an animal that lives on, or with, or inside a larger species for the nutritional elements that are extracted for personal survival. The parasite might harm the host in some circumstances but are totally harmless in other instances. The three types of parasites are-
Ectoparasites- The parasites that survive outside the host are called Ectoparasites. They cause a kind of itching wherever they stay.
Endoparasites- The parasites that stay in the body (Bloodstreams, muscles, etc) of their respective host are called Endoparasites.
Mesoparasites- The parasites that go into the host with an opening in the body and implant by themselves partially there are called Mesoparasites.
Parasitic Symbiosis and Mutualism
Symbiosis refers to the long-term connection between 2 diverse species, and when both of the species gain benefit from the exchange, it is also referred to as mutualism. In Symbiotic Relation, the bigger organism is considered as the host. This is because the smaller organism depends on the larger organism. The smaller organism is called the symbiont. Parasitism is the type of symbiotic relationship or association that is long-term between any two species. The parasite in Parasitism gains benefits from the chosen or available host. It might harm the host 1but won't kill it. For Example- Leeches, Lice, etc.
Mutualism is defined as the symbiotic relationship in which both species are mutually benefited. Mutualism may either be in the organisms of the same species or amongst organisms of 2 distinct species.
In this type of symbiotic relationship, the number as well as a symbiont, where both organisms are benefited and no organism is harmed and these relationships might extend for lifetimes of organisms or sometimes end in a short span of time. The term mutualist is used to describe both the organisms participating in Mutualism. For Example- Fungi, Bacteria, etc.
Parenchyma
Parenchyma is a type of simple structure that is permanent and completes a significant section of ground areas in plants. Here other cells like vascular tissues lean to be embedded. Some characteristics of Parenchyma are-
Parenchyma is typically living cells that can be permanent which can divide at maturity. This division of Parenchyma helps in the regeneration and recovery of injuries.
Parenchyma cells will be the foundation of a plant as reproductive cells (spores & gametes) tend to be parenchymatous in general.
The solitary parenchyma cellular of the zygote reaches with the power to become an entire plant. These cells are also called totipotent.
Parenchyma cells arise in the form of the big chunks as homogeneous parenchyma tissues.
Parenchyma cells might be related to other types of cells to form heterogeneous areas. These areas can be complex as the parenchyma of the xylem and phloem.
Parenchyma cells are necessary for many activities in a plant. Some of the very important processes like photosynthesis, storage space, release, absorption, respiration, etc are performed by Parenchyma cells.
Parenchyma is typically living cells that can be permanent which can divide at maturity. This division of Parenchyma helps in the regeneration and recovery of injuries.
Parenchyma cells will be the foundation of a plant as reproductive cells (spores & gametes) tend to be parenchymatous in general.
The solitary parenchyma cellular of the zygote reaches with the power to become an entire plant. These cells are also called totipotent.
Parenchyma cells arise in the form of the big chunks as homogeneous parenchyma tissues.
Parenchyma cells might be related to other types of cells to form heterogeneous areas. These areas can be complex as the parenchyma of the xylem and phloem.
Parenchyma cells are necessary for many activities in a plant. Some of the very important processes like photosynthesis, storage space, release, absorption, respiration, etc are performed by Parenchyma cells.
FAQs on Epiphytes: Adaptive Features, Types, and Examples
1. What exactly are epiphytes?
Epiphytes, often called 'air plants', are organisms that grow on the surface of other plants for physical support. Unlike parasites, they do not harm their host or steal nutrients from it. Instead, they derive moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and the organic debris that accumulates around them.
2. What are some common examples of epiphytic plants?
Many well-known plants are epiphytes. Some of the most common examples you might see include:
- Orchids (many species)
- Bromeliads (like Spanish moss and Tillandsia)
- Ferns
- Mosses and Lichens
3. How are epiphytes different from parasitic plants?
The key difference lies in their relationship with the host plant. Epiphytes have a commensalistic relationship, meaning the epiphyte benefits from the support without affecting the host. In contrast, parasitic plants have a parasitic relationship, where they invade the host's tissues to steal water and nutrients, causing harm.
4. How do epiphytes get water and nutrients if they don't grow in soil?
Epiphytes have developed special adaptations to survive without soil. Many have roots with a spongy, multi-layered epidermis called velamen, which can rapidly absorb moisture from the humid air and rain. Their leaves are often shaped to form a 'tank' or 'cup' that collects rainwater, falling leaves, and other debris, which then decomposes to provide nutrients.
5. In what kind of environment are epiphytes most commonly found?
Epiphytes thrive in environments with high humidity and rainfall. They are most abundant in the canopies of tropical and temperate rainforests. The dense forest environment provides the shade and moisture they need to flourish high above the ground, closer to sunlight than the forest floor.
6. What is the ecological importance of epiphytes in a forest?
Epiphytes play a crucial role in their ecosystem. They contribute significantly to biodiversity by creating a rich and diverse habitat for countless organisms, including insects, amphibians, and bacteria. They also play a vital part in nutrient cycling by capturing airborne particles and water, which eventually enrich the soil below when they decompose.
7. Are there different types of epiphytes based on their lifecycle?
Yes, epiphytes can be broadly classified based on how much of their life they spend on a host. Holo-epiphytes spend their entire life cycle on the host plant without ever touching the ground. Hemi-epiphytes, on the other hand, spend only a part of their life as an epiphyte before sending roots down to the soil.
