Bromeliads are a distinctive family of tropical plants which includes the pineapple. These reservoirs of water not only provide a drinking supply for many canopy animals but also create an entire habitat which species use for shelter and breeding. Let the pineapple top dry for a day or two. Bromeliads, especially those with interconnecting cambers, are often colonized by stinging ants which provide the plant with nutrients produced by ant waste and their collection of decaying debris. 5 Answers. They have adapted to life in the rainforest by having their roots in the ground and climbing high into the tree canopy to reach available sunlight. bromeliad and i need 5 adaptations it has? There are more than 2,700 species of bromeliads. Epiphytes belong to 83 families, of which the majority are ferns and flowering plants. Orchids also utilize insects to spread their pollen. The cacti found in deserts grow in the soil or sand to get moisture and are outfitted with round, waxy leaves to reduce water loss. Leaf Angling - Little sunlight penetrates below the canopy layer in the rainforest due to the dense … They have adapted to life in the rainforest by having their roots in the ground and climbing high into the tree canopy to reach available sunlight. Tapir Reproduction. Numerous orchid species have tiny, almost microscopic, blooms which release a mildew-like odor that attracts small flies for fertilization. Most of them have brightly colored flowers that appear as smaller extensions of their leaf structure. One species, the hawkmoth—which superficially resembles a hummingbird—has a tongue that exceeds 14 inches (35 cm.) Epiphytes grow most readily in cracks, grooves, and pockets where organic debris has collected and provides sustenance for initial growth. Orangutans spend almost all of their day in the tree canopy so it is no surprise that they have adapted to live in the trees. Surprisingly there is an abundance of canopy compost created by the decay of fallen leaves, wood, and animal waste. can you keep an apple tree small enough to fit on a balcony but still produce fruit? Many epiphytes have wind-dispersed, microscopic seeds equipped with wings, gliding apparatuses, or parachutes. Drip Tips The leaves of forest trees have adapted to … The decomposed organisms act as nutrients to the plants. Contact Epiphytes are superbly adapted to the often harsh conditions of the canopy: the serious lack of water and the shortage of minerals and nutrients. Leaves and other substances fall into the Bromeliads leaves channels and help algae and other organisms grow; … This is due to the large overhanging canopies blocking out sunlight to the surface causing the soil to be clay-like and acidic. Nonetheless, there is a huge variety of orchids ranging from species that grow on the ground to the 70 percent of orchids which grow as epiphytes. These bromeliads gain nutrients from the insects that drown in their urns. However, the majority of cacti from tropical regions grow in the canopy as epiphytes, lack sharp quills, and have elongated leaves for light absorption, not water retention. One major reason orchids are so successful in the forest is because they produce tiny seeds (measured in microns) that number in the hundreds of thousands. Another orchid, the bucket orchid of Central America, is equipped with a small bucket structure behind the flower. Poison dart frogs, vine snakes, sloths and jaguars enjoy life in the understory layer of the rainforest. The flower produces an oil which drips into the "bucket" and attracts bees with its unique odor. Most bromeliad leaves are hard and edges with sharp teeth, to deter grazers. Epiphytes and bromeliads have adapted to live on branches without root systems. The only way out is through a tube. Some bromeliads can hold several gallons of water and are miniature ecosystems in themselves providing homes for several creatures including frogs and their tadpoles, salamanders, snails, beetles and mosquito larvae.