An epiphyte is a plant or plant-like organism that grows on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phorophytes . Epiphytes take part in nutrient cycles and add to both the diversity and biomass of the ecosystem in which they occur, like any other organism. They are an important source of food for many species. Typically, the older parts of a plant will have more epiphytes growing on them. Epiphytes differ from parasites in that they grow on other plants for physical support and do not necessarily affect the host negatively. An organism that grows on another organism that is not a plant may be called an epibiont . Epiphytes are usually found in the temperate zone (e.g., many mosses , liverworts , lichens , and algae ) or in the tropics (e.g., many ferns , cacti , orchids , and bromeliads ). Epiphyte species make good houseplants due to their minimal water and soil requirements. Epiphytes provide a rich and diverse habitat for other organisms including animals, fungi, bacteria, and myxomycetes .
45-668: Corallorhiza , the coralroot , is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family. Except for the circumboreal C. trifida , the genus is restricted to North America (including Mexico , Central America and the West Indies ). Most species are putatively parasitic , relying entirely upon mycorrhizal fungi within their coral -shaped rhizomes for sustenance. Because of this dependence on myco-heterotrophy , they have never been successfully cultivated. Most species are leafless and rootless. Most species produce little or no chlorophyll , and do not utilize photosynthesis . An exception
90-464: A carbohydrate energy source. The carbohydrate source can be combinations of discrete sugars or can be derived from other sources such as banana , pineapple , peach , or even tomato puree or coconut water . After the preparation of the agar medium, it is poured into test tubes or jars which are then autoclaved (or cooked in a pressure cooker) to sterilize the medium. After cooking, the medium begins to gel as it cools. The taxonomy of this family
135-453: A phylogenetic study showed strong statistical support for the following topology of the orchid tree , using 9 kb of plastid and nuclear DNA from 7 genes , a topology that was confirmed by a phylogenomic study in the same year. Apostasioideae Vanilloideae Epiphyte Epiphyte is one of the subdivisions of the Raunkiær system . The term epiphytic derives from
180-401: A seta , knocking the pollinator off the flower. After pollination, the sepals and petals fade and wilt, but they usually remain attached to the ovary. In 2011, Bulbophyllum nocturnum was discovered to flower nocturnally. Some species, such as in the genera Phalaenopsis , Dendrobium , and Vanda , produce offshoots or plantlets formed from one of the nodes along the stem , through
225-474: A spur of the labellum ( 8 in the illustration above), or on the point of the sepals, or in the septa of the ovary, the most typical position amongst the Asparagales . In orchids that produce pollinia, pollination happens as some variant of the following sequence: when the pollinator enters into the flower, it touches a viscidium, which promptly sticks to its body, generally on the head or abdomen. While leaving
270-551: A velamen , has the function of absorbing humidity. It is made of dead cells and can have a silvery-grey, white or brown appearance. In some orchids, the velamen includes spongy and fibrous bodies near the passage cells, called tilosomes. The cells of the root epidermis grow at a right angle to the axis of the root to allow them to get a firm grasp on their support. Nutrients for epiphytic orchids mainly come from mineral dust, organic detritus, animal droppings and other substances collecting among on their supporting surfaces. The base of
315-473: A different species of bee, so as to enforce proper cross-pollination. A rare achlorophyllous saprophytic orchid growing entirely underground in Australia, Rhizanthella slateri , is never exposed to light, and depends on ants and other terrestrial insects to pollinate it. Catasetum , a genus discussed briefly by Darwin , actually launches its viscid pollinia with explosive force when an insect touches
360-525: A handful of species in each of the spikemosses , other ferns, Gnetales , and cycads . The first important monograph on epiphytic plant ecology was written by A. F. W. Schimper ( Die epiphytische Vegetation Amerikas , 1888). Assemblages of large epiphytes occur most abundantly in moist tropical forests , but mosses and lichens occur as epiphytes in almost all biomes. In Europe there are no dedicated epiphytic plants using roots, but rich assemblages of mosses and lichens grow on trees in damp areas (mainly
405-455: A semiterrestrial or rock-hugging (" lithophyte ") orchid, show a sparkling silver and gold veining on a light green background. The cordate leaves of Psychopsiella limminghei are light brownish-green with maroon-puce markings, created by flower pigments. The attractive mottle of the leaves of lady's slippers from tropical and subtropical Asia ( Paphiopedilum ), is caused by uneven distribution of chlorophyll. Also, Phalaenopsis schilleriana
450-425: A significant effect on the microenvironment of their host, and of ecosystems where they are abundant, as they hold water in the canopy and decrease water input to the soil. Some non-vascular epiphytes such as lichens and mosses are well known for their ability to take up water rapidly. Epiphytes create a significantly cooler and more moist environment in the host plant canopy, potentially greatly reducing water loss by
495-538: A single mass. Each time pollination succeeds, thousands of ovules can be fertilized. Pollinators are often visually attracted by the shape and colours of the labellum. However, some Bulbophyllum species attract male fruit flies ( Bactrocera and Zeugodacus spp.) solely via a floral chemical which simultaneously acts as a floral reward (e.g. methyl eugenol , raspberry ketone , or zingerone ) to perform pollination. The flowers may produce attractive odours. Although absent in most species, nectar may be produced in
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#1733092313437540-628: A sticky disc near the top of the column. Just below the pollinia is a second, larger sticky plate called the stigma . The complex mechanisms that orchids have evolved to achieve cross-pollination were investigated by Charles Darwin and described in Fertilisation of Orchids (1862). Orchids have developed highly specialized pollination systems, thus the chances of being pollinated are often scarce, so orchid flowers usually remain receptive for very long periods, rendering unpollinated flowers long-lasting in cultivation. Most orchids deliver pollen in
585-418: Is a pastel pink orchid with leaves spotted dark green and light green. The jewel orchid ( Ludisia discolor ) is grown more for its colorful leaves than its white flowers. Some orchids, such as Dendrophylax lindenii (ghost orchid), Aphyllorchis and Taeniophyllum depend on their green roots for photosynthesis and lack normally developed leaves, as do all of the heterotrophic species. Orchids of
630-399: Is a plant that spends only half of its life without the ground before the roots can reach or make contact with the ground. Orchids are a common example of holo-epiphytes and Strangler Figs are an example of hemi-epiphytes. Epiphytes are not connected to the soil, and consequently must get nutrients from other sources, such as fog, dew, rain and mist, or from nutrients being released from
675-417: Is achieved by removing the pollinia with a small instrument such as a toothpick from the pollen parent and transferring them to the seed parent. Some orchids mainly or totally rely on self-pollination , especially in colder regions where pollinators are particularly rare. The caudicles may dry up if the flower has not been visited by any pollinator, and the pollinia then fall directly on the stigma. Otherwise,
720-542: Is in constant flux, as new studies continue to clarify the relationships between species and groups of species, allowing more taxa at several ranks to be recognized. The Orchidaceae is currently placed in the order Asparagales by the APG III system of 2009. Five subfamilies are recognised. The cladogram below was made according to the APG system of 1998. It represents the view that most botanists had held up to that time. It
765-592: Is often called a backbulb. Backbulbs still hold nutrition for the plant, but then a pseudobulb usually takes over, exploiting the last reserves accumulated in the backbulb, which eventually dies off, too. A pseudobulb typically lives for about five years. Orchids without noticeable pseudobulbs are also said to have growths, an individual component of a sympodial plant. Like most monocots , orchids generally have simple leaves with parallel veins , although some Vanilloideae have reticulate venation . Leaves may be ovate, lanceolate, or orbiculate, and very variable in size on
810-510: Is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, along with the Asteraceae . It contains about 28,000 currently accepted species distributed across 763 genera . The Orchidaceae family encompasses about 6–11% of all species of seed plants . The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species). It also includes Vanilla (the genus of
855-459: Is the yellowish green species Corallorhiza trifida , which has some chlorophyll and is able to fix CO 2 . However, this species also depends primarily on fungal associations for carbon acquisition. Many species names have been proposed that are now considered synonyms of other species, or members of other genera. Species accepted as members of Corallorhiza as of As of January 2023: Orchidaceae Orchids are plants that belong to
900-419: Is used as a food reserve for wintry periods, and provides for the development of the other one, from which visible growth develops. In warm and constantly humid climates, many terrestrial orchids do not need pseudobulbs. Epiphytic orchids, those that grow upon a support, have modified aerial roots that can sometimes be a few meters long. In the older parts of the roots, a modified spongy epidermis , called
945-400: The family Orchidaceae ( / ˌ ɔːr k ɪ ˈ d eɪ s i . iː , - s i . aɪ / ), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Orchids are cosmopolitan plants that are found in almost every habitat on Earth except glaciers . The world's richest diversity of orchid genera and species is found in the tropics . Orchidaceae
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#1733092313437990-454: The vanilla plant ), the type genus Orchis , and many commonly cultivated plants such as Phalaenopsis and Cattleya . Moreover, since the introduction of tropical species into cultivation in the 19th century, horticulturists have produced many hybrids and cultivars . Orchids are easily distinguished from other plants, as they share some very evident derived characteristics or synapomorphies . Among these are: bilateral symmetry of
1035-470: The Greek epi- (meaning 'upon') and phyton (meaning 'plant'). Epiphytic plants are sometimes called "air plants" because they do not root in soil. However, that term is inaccurate, as there are many aquatic species of algae that are epiphytes on other aquatic plants (seaweeds or aquatic angiosperms ). The best-known epiphytic plants include mosses , orchids , and bromeliads such as Spanish moss (of
1080-428: The accumulation of growth hormones at that point. These shoots are known as keiki . Epipogium aphyllum exhibits a dual reproductive strategy, engaging in both sexual and asexual seed production. The likelihood of apomixis playing a substantial role in successful reproduction appears minimal. Within certain petite orchid species groups, there is a noteworthy preparation of female gametes for fertilization preceding
1125-499: The act of pollination. The ovary typically develops into a capsule that is dehiscent by three or six longitudinal slits, while remaining closed at both ends. The seeds are generally almost microscopic and very numerous, in some species over a million per capsule. After ripening, they blow off like dust particles or spores. Most orchid species lack endosperm in their seed and must enter symbiotic relationships with various mycorrhizal basidiomyceteous fungi that provide them
1170-541: The anther may rotate and then enter the stigma cavity of the flower (as in Holcoglossum amesianum ). The slipper orchid Paphiopedilum parishii reproduces by self-fertilization . This occurs when the anther changes from a solid to a liquid state and directly contacts the stigma surface without the aid of any pollinating agent or floral assembly. The labellum of the Cypripedioideae is poke bonnet-shaped , and has
1215-537: The flower ( zygomorphism ), many resupinate flowers, a nearly always highly modified petal (labellum), fused stamens and carpels , and extremely small seeds . All orchids are perennial herbs that lack any permanent woody structure. They can grow according to two patterns: Terrestrial orchids may be rhizomatous or form corms or tubers . The root caps of terrestrial orchids are smooth and white. Some sympodial terrestrial orchids, such as Orchis and Ophrys , have two subterranean tuberous roots . One
1260-536: The flower develops, it undergoes a twisting through 180°, called resupination , so that the labellum lies below the column . The labellum functions to attract insects, and in resupinate flowers, also acts as a landing stage, or sometimes a trap. The reproductive parts of an orchid flower are unique in that the stamens and style are joined to form a single structure, the column . Instead of being released singly, thousands of pollen grains are contained in one or two bundles called pollinia that are attached to
1305-436: The flower, it pulls the pollinium out of the anther, as it is connected to the viscidium by the caudicle or stipe. The caudicle then bends and the pollinium is moved forwards and downwards. When the pollinator enters another flower of the same species, the pollinium has taken such position that it will stick to the stigma of the second flower, just below the rostellum, pollinating it. In horticulture, artificial orchid pollination
1350-409: The flowers to gather volatile chemicals they require to synthesize pheromonal attractants. Males of such species as Euglossa imperialis or Eulaema meriana have been observed to leave their territories periodically to forage for aromatic compounds, such as cineole, to synthesize pheromone for attracting and mating with females. Each type of orchid places the pollinia on a different body part of
1395-510: The function of trapping visiting insects. The only exit leads to the anthers that deposit pollen on the visitor. In some extremely specialized orchids, such as the Eurasian genus Ophrys , the labellum is adapted to have a colour, shape, and odour which attracts male insects via mimicry of a receptive female. Pollination happens as the insect attempts to mate with flowers. Many neotropical orchids are pollinated by male orchid bees , which visit
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1440-430: The genus Corallorhiza (coralroot orchids) lack leaves altogether and instead have symbiotic or parasitic associations with fungal mycelium, though which they absorb sugars. Orchid flowers have three sepals , three petals and a three-chambered ovary . The three sepals and two of the petals are often similar to each other but one petal is usually highly modified, forming a "lip" or labellum . In most orchid genera, as
1485-417: The genus Tillandsia ), but epiphytes may be found in every major group of the plant kingdom. Eighty-nine percent of (or about 24,000) terrestrial epiphyte species are flowering plants . The second largest group are the leptosporangiate ferns , with about 2,800 species (10% of epiphytes). About one-third of all fern species are epiphytes. The third largest group is clubmosses , with 190 species, followed by
1530-422: The ground rooted plants by decomposition or leaching, and dinitrogen fixation. Epiphytic plants attached to their hosts high in the canopy have an advantage over herbs restricted to the ground where there is less light and herbivores may be more active. Epiphytic plants are also important to certain animals that may live in their water reservoirs, such as some types of frogs and arthropods . Epiphytes can have
1575-873: The host through transpiration. CAM metabolism , a water-preserving metabolism present among various plant taxa , is particularly relevant to epiphytic communities. For example, it is estimated that among epiphytic orchids, as many as 50% are likely to use it. Other relevant epiphytic families which display such metabolism are Bromeliacee (e.g. in genera Aechmea and Tillandsia ), Cactaceae (e.g. in Rhipsalis and Epiphyllum ) and Apocynaceae (e.g. in Hoya and Dischidia ). The ecology of epiphytes in marine environments differs from those in terrestrial ecosystems. Epiphytes in marine systems are species of algae, bacteria, fungi, sponges, bryozoans, ascidians, protozoa, crustaceans, molluscs and any other sessile organism that grows on
1620-455: The individual plant. Their characteristics are often diagnostic. They are normally alternate on the stem, often folded lengthwise along the centre ("plicate"), and have no stipules . Orchid leaves often have siliceous bodies called stegmata in the vascular bundle sheaths (not present in the Orchidoideae ) and are fibrous. The structure of the leaves corresponds to the specific habitat of
1665-401: The largest orchid in the world, Grammatophyllum speciosum (giant orchid), it can reach three meters. Some Dendrobium species have long, canelike pseudobulbs with short, rounded leaves over the whole length; some other orchids have hidden or extremely small pseudobulbs, completely included inside the leaves. With ageing the pseudobulb sheds its leaves and becomes dormant. At this stage it
1710-418: The necessary nutrients to germinate, so almost all orchid species are mycoheterotrophic during germination and reliant upon fungi to complete their lifecycles. Only a handful of orchid species have seed that can germinate without mycorrhiza , namely the species within the genus Disa with hydrochorous seeds. As the chance for a seed to meet a suitable fungus is very small, only a minute fraction of all
1755-658: The plant. Species that typically bask in sunlight, or grow on sites which can be occasionally very dry, have thick, leathery leaves and the laminae are covered by a waxy cuticle to retain their necessary water supply. Shade-loving species, on the other hand, have long, thin leaves. The leaves of most orchids are perennial, that is, they live for several years, while others, especially those with plicate leaves as in Catasetum , shed them annually and develop new leaves together with new pseudobulbs. The leaves of some orchids are considered ornamental. The leaves of Macodes sanderiana ,
1800-417: The seeds released grow into adult plants. In cultivation, germination typically takes weeks. Horticultural techniques have been devised for germinating orchid seeds on an artificial nutrient medium, eliminating the requirement of the fungus for germination and greatly aiding the propagation of ornamental orchids. The usual medium for the sowing of orchids in artificial conditions is agar gel combined with
1845-419: The stem of sympodial epiphytes, or in some species essentially the entire stem, may be thickened to form a pseudobulb that contains nutrients and water for drier periods. The pseudobulb typically has a smooth surface with lengthwise grooves, and can have different shapes, often conical or oblong. Its size is very variable; in some small species of Bulbophyllum , it is no longer than two millimeters, while in
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1890-416: The surface of a plant, typically seagrasses or algae. Settlement of epiphytic species is influenced by a number of factors including light, temperature, currents, nutrients, and trophic interactions. Algae are the most common group of epiphytes in marine systems. Photosynthetic epiphytes account for a large amount of the photosynthesis in systems in which they occur. This is typically between 20 and 60% of
1935-416: The total primary production of the ecosystem. They are a general group of organisms and are highly diverse, providing food for a great number of fauna. Snail and nudibranch species are two common grazers of epiphytes. Epiphyte species composition and the amount of epiphytes can be indicative of changes in the environment. Recent increases in epiphyte abundance have been linked to excessive nitrogen put into
1980-405: The western coastal fringe), and the common polypody fern grows epiphytically along branches. Rarely, grass, small bushes or small trees may grow in suspended soils up trees (typically in a rot-hole). Epiphytes however, can generally be categorized into holo-epiphytes or hemi-epiphytes. A holo-epiphyte is a plant that spends its whole life cycle without contact with the ground and a hemi-epiphyte
2025-594: Was supported by morphological studies , but never received strong support in molecular phylogenetic studies. Apostasioideae : 2 genera and 16 species, south-eastern Asia Cypripedioideae : 5 genera and 130 species, from the temperate regions of the world, as well as tropical America and tropical Asia Vanilloideae : 15 genera and 180 species, humid tropical and subtropical regions, eastern North America Epidendroideae : more than 500 genera and more or less 20,000 species, cosmopolitan Orchidoideae : 208 genera and 3,630 species, cosmopolitan In 2015,
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