Epiphytes
Overview
Epiphytes, specifically terrestrial, vascular epiphytes, are those plants that germinate and take root on other plants. These plants generally exhibit commensal relationships with their host plants. Epiphytes can be both obligate and facultative [1]. Plants that grow on other plants for only a portion of their life cycle are referred to as "hemi-epiphytes" [2]. Additionally "accidental epiphytes" can occur when a plant that does not usually grow epiphytically at any point in its life cycle does [1]. Globally, epiphytes account for approximately 10 percent of all plant diversity. It is estimated that over 24,000 vascular plants are considered to be epiphytes, and these plants are most commonly concentrated in tropical areas, where they provide significant ecosystem services [2].
Ecology and Evolution
Common Terrestrial Epiphytes
References
- ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 1.2 Zotz, Gerhard. (12 Nov 2012). "The systematic distribution of vascular epiphytes – a critical update." Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. The Linnean Society of London. 171: 453–481. https://academic.oup.com/botlinnean/article/171/3/453/2416203.
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 2.2 Nieder, J., Prosperi, J., Michaloud, G.. (2001). "Epiphytes and their contribution to canopy diveristy." Plant Ecology. Kluwer Academic Publishers. 153: 51-63. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226617674_Epiphytes_and_their_contribution_to_canopy_diversity.