Biological features of epiphytic plants. Biological characteristics of epiphytic plants Optimal conditions for the spread of epiphytes

Epiphytes can be divided into three groups: nesting, reservoir (tank) and bracket (pocket).

Nesting epiphytes include some types of ferns, aroids, and orchids. Falling leaves and waste products of animals and birds are retained by the roots, and the rosette of leaves ends up in a kind of “nest” that retains moisture well and provides nutrition.

Reservoir epiphytes are represented mainly by bromeliads. The leaves form a rosette or reservoir in which water accumulates. Under natural growing conditions, some species have reservoirs containing up to 5 liters of water. The reservoir can be common to the entire plant or each leaf forms its own “cistern”, which is associated with the peculiarities of the location and structure of the leaves.

Clamp or pocket epiphytes are distinguished by an asymmetrical rosette. All or part of the leaves adjacent to the support (tree trunk) form pockets or funnels, which in cross section have the shape of a bracket. Such leaves are formed, for example, in ferns of the genus Antler or Platycerium at a young age.

The roots of epiphytes are covered with a special covering tissue - velamen, which actively absorbs moisture from the air.

In addition to true epiphytes, there are semi-epiphytes, which lose contact with the soil for a short period of time. This can occur at a young age, when the seeds germinate, like true epiphytes, on trees, in sub-

stratum, consisting of rotten foliage, waste products of animals, etc., and only subsequently long adventitious roots reach the ground and are fixed in it. In other species, the seeds germinate on the ground, then rise up the support and may lose contact with the soil for a while, but then it is restored. In some hemiepiphytes, during germination, a special structure is formed - an eocaulum, resembling an elongated stem and colored green. The eocaul provides nutrition to the seedling until it transitions to the independent process of photosynthesis.

In interiors, epiphytes are most often grown in hanging baskets or flowerpots. Orchids look especially impressive in baskets made of wooden sticks (round or square in cross-section). They are distinguished by a rather powerful root system, which requires a large volume.

Of course, in indoor conditions, epiphytes are most often grown as ordinary terrestrial plants in pots, but they look much more impressive in hanging baskets, block culture and, of course, on “epiphytic trees”.

Baskets for epiphytes are “equipped” as follows: the bottom is lined with a fine mosquito net, sphagnum high peat, fern roots, fallen birch leaves are placed on it, they can be replaced with leaf soil, pine bark (3-5 cm high). The base of the basket is made of wire, wooden blocks of round or rectangular cross-section. Such baskets are suitable for orchids that have a fairly large root system, and therefore they do not do well on epiphytic trees.

Plants are planted so that the base of the stem is 1 - 2 cm below the edge of the basket. When transplanting, the plants are carefully removed from the basket, its contents are shaken out and sorted, updating the necessary components.

Epiphytes in block crops look no less impressive. This is a great technique for vertical gardening. Almost all types of epiphytes can be grown in blocks, even orchids, especially considering that their aerial roots are sensitive to lack of oxygen.

There are two known types of blocks: open and closed. Open - plants are strengthened with wire on large pieces of substrate (fern rhizomes, bark, pressed sphagnum). Depending on the size, one block can accommodate from 1-2 to 4-5 plants. If you plan to hang the block on the wall, it is first attached to a solid base: a small board, a plexiglass plate, a ceramic plate, etc. If the substrate is too loose, it is placed in a fine mesh.

In closed blocks this problem is not significant. Large pieces of larch, oak, birch, and pine bark are fastened with wire so that it looks like a pot. Of course, the bark of a cork tree or Amur velvet is best suited for this purpose, but the availability of these types is a big problem. The block is filled with loose substrate, the roots of the epiphytes, passing through it, are attached to the walls of the bark. It is quite possible to place blocks on an epiphytic tree. In recent years, ready-made blocks with holes into which young plant specimens can be planted have been produced abroad.

But the biggest impression is made by the “epiphytic tree”. However, it should be noted that this is also the most labor-intensive option for placing epiphytes.

For an epiphytic tree, choose a snag of an original shape. The most suitable species for this is white acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia). The trunk has an interesting texture, the wood is quite soft, the roots of epiphytes easily strengthen in it, and it is quite resistant to rotting. You can also use pear, apple, and grape trunks. The more bizarre the shape of the selected driftwood, the more impressive the epiphytic tree looks.

The driftwood is strengthened in a decorative flowerpot. A substrate typical for epiphytes is placed on the forks or on the trunk. Sometimes a depression is made in it, in which the plants are secured with thin wire. Open block crops can also be attached to the trunk. You should not turn an epiphytic tree into something like a Christmas tree or a May pole. In this case, the well-known principle “less is more” is more appropriate. The most spectacular type is best placed in the lower (1/3 of the height) part of the driftwood; higher up in the forks it’s good to “attach” lighter and smaller plants; below the accent type, large, “heavy” rosettes of ferns or Wenland’s philodendron look great. The snag can be entwined with a vine, or Tillandsia osniformes or tiny ficus can be hung from the ends of the branches. Last time. Some companies offer fairly unpretentious epiphytic miniature orchids that will serve as a decorative addition to any composition: Kingidium delisiosum and Neofinetia falcate.

Caring for plants comes down to daily spraying with warm, almost hot in the cold season, water. Once a month, the substrate is moistened with a solution of urea (1-1.5 g/l) and microfertilizers.

When transplanting, epiphytes are watered abundantly within 1-2 days, then the block or individual plants are removed and the substrate is replaced with fresh one. Overgrown roots are trimmed, and large specimens are divided into 2-3 plants. The fracture sites are treated with charcoal.

However, not everyone can create an “epiphytic tree,” so you can use “epiphytic shoots” - wrap a small branched snag with moss, secure it with wire or strong threads and plant small plants.

“Epiphytic rock” looks no less impressive - to create it you will need an unusually shaped piece of soft stone - tuff, limestone or pumice. Make small depressions in it, fill them with a suitable substrate and plant small specimens of plants.

As you know, all plants in nature adapt to the conditions in which they are forced to exist. A striking example of such adaptation to life is epiphytic plants. In the forests, where there is an irreconcilable struggle among plants for the sun, epiphytes(translated from Greek: “on the plant”) were able to coexist perfectly with other plants. They not only receive light, but also thus protect themselves from land animals.

This mutually beneficial “cohabitation” of plants of different species is called symbiosis. In science the term symbiosis denote the long-term coexistence of two different species, which not only does not harm any of them, but also helps the plants survive. A typical example of symbiosis in the plant world is the coexistence of orchids and lianas in the tropics.

Tropical forests contain the richest communities of epiphytes. The most striking representatives of epiphytes in the tropics are, for example, orchids, tillandsias and other plants of the bromeliad family, some species of schefflera, nephrolepis, and some types of ficus. In the forests of the temperate, as well as the coldest arctic zone, the most common epiphytes grow - mosses and lichens.

All epiphytes can be divided into four groups:

1. Protoepiphytes. This group includes the least adapted epiphytes. They have no protection from droughts and lack of soil. Some members of this group have very thick, fleshy leaves, like succulents, which retain a small supply of moisture. In others, the water supply is carried out in the stem. In some orchids, one or two internodes on the stem are thickened and very similar to above-ground tubers - tuberidia. or pseudobulbs.

2. Nesting and bracket epiphytes.

In representatives of nesting epiphytes, for example, ferns, and some types of orchids, aerial roots form a very dense mass, similar to a bird's nest. Fallen leaves and other plant debris accumulate in these “nests” and gradually rot. This compost of plant residues becomes a source of nutrients for epiphytes.

In bracket epiphytes, at the point of attachment to the support tree, the leaves form real pockets, or funnels. If you look at these leaves from above, they resemble parentheses (). They also accumulate plant debris and moisture. An example of a bracket epiphyte is the Antler fern.

3. Reservoir epiphytes. They are the most adapted to life on supporting plants. They have very hard leaves collected in a rosette. The outlet itself is a reservoir in which a lot of moisture can accumulate (up to 4-5 liters!). Representatives of this group of epiphytes are plants of the Bromeliad family.

4. Semi-epiphytes. At first, these plants begin to develop like real epiphytes. Subsequently, long aerial roots grow to the ground and take root. These epiphytes then obtain nutrients from the soil. Representatives of this group of epiphytes are ficus.

Epiphytes - plants attached to or growing on phorophytes, but do not receive any nutrients from them

Habitat

The largest number of epiphytes are found in tropical humid climates. They are able to adapt to growing conditions in tree-covered areas. Developing on other plants, they are practically independent of the presence of soil cover.

Mosses and lichens are widely known in the northern regions, and there are also epiphytes among aroids, commelinaceae, ferns and other plants. Many types of epiphytes have a number of features in their structure that allow them to feed in unusual conditions.

Structural features

This mode of existence of epiphytes led to the fact that they began to develop some structural changes in their structure, which allow them to adapt and exist in particularly difficult conditions.

Many types of epiphytic plants have aerial roots, which have a porous structure that can absorb moisture from the air. When the roots are exposed to a humid environment in 24 hours, they are able to increase their mass by 11%. Some plants have a root system that can penetrate the soil, turning into ordinary roots.

The rhizome of some epiphytes, on the contrary, develops upward in search of food sources. The Commelinaceae family has hairs on the root shoots., with the help of which plants feed. Bromeliads form a container from their leaves in which rainwater is collected.

In addition, leaves, dust, insects, etc. fall into the bowl, which subsequently form a food supply for epiphytes. Some specimens have reduced leaves to reduce moisture evaporation.

Plant classification

Epiphytic plants began to be closely studied only at the end of the 19th century. After a long study, the German botanist Schimper managed to create a classification of plants. He divided all representatives into four groups:

Some representatives

Very often, epiphytic flowers are grown indoors. They are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and easy care. Such representatives include:

Epiphytes use other plants as support and, if there is a large population, they can harm it. Although the word “epiphytes” is translated as “over-trees,” epiphytes are found not only among terrestrial plants, but also among algae.

Epiphytes are most common in tropical humid climates. They grow in areas overgrown with trees and are an example of high adaptability to growing conditions. When settling on trees, epiphytes do not depend on the availability of soil, they have the opportunity to be closer to the light source, and are less likely to be eaten by herbivores.

Epiphytes of the tropical zone are orchids and plants of the Bromelaceae family. Epiphytes, mosses and lichens, are common in the temperate and arctic zones. There are also epiphytes among aroids, commelinaceae, lilies, ferns, mosses and other plants.

In the photo: Epiphytic plant orchid Vanda (Vanda)

Due to the lack of habitat, epiphytes have a number of adaptations to obtain nutrients and water. So, in most orchids these are silver-colored aerial roots, the surface layer of which is called velamen. They have a porous surface, which, like a filter, absorbs moisture from the air and supplies it to the plant. The aerial roots of some orchids, when moving from dry to humid air, are capable of increasing their mass by 11% per day. The aerial roots of other epiphytes grow to the soil and penetrate it, turning into ordinary ones. The roots of other orchids, on the contrary, in search of food, can grow upward if there the source of their vital energy is located.

In Commelinaceae, the suction role is played by hairs that cover the surface of the roots and give them a velvety feel. Plants of the bromeliad family form a rosette of leaves that tightly cover each other, forming a kind of bowl at the base into which rainwater is collected. Remains of leaves, dust, and insects drowned in water also fall into the bowls and rot there. Subsequently, this nutrient mass is absorbed by the plant.

It is worth noting that our northern epiphytes - lichens, settling on the trunk and thick branches of a tree, do not harm it under normal conditions of tree development. However, with slow growth, the thin branches of the tree are also colonized by lichen, which interferes with the tree’s breathing, thereby causing harm to it.

Some epiphytes settle on leaves; they are called epiphylls. Plants that use their roots only for anchorage are called aerophytes; plants that settle on rocks are called lithophytes.

In the photo: Epiphytic plant of the Bromeliaceae family Guzmania

Epiphytes

The best known epiphytes are mosses, lichens, orchids, and members of the Bromeliad family, but epiphytes can be found in almost any taxonomic group of plants; moreover, the term "epiphyte" is often used for bacteria. The richest and most developed communities of epiphytes are found in tropical forests (especially humid ones), but mosses and lichens are fairly common epiphytes of temperate and even arctic climates.

Epiphytic community on a tree, humid forest, Costa Rica.

Classification according to the nature of adaptation to living conditions

In 1888, the German botanist Schimper compiled a classification in which he divided epiphytes into four groups: protoepiphytes, nesting and bracket (pocket) epiphytes, reservoir (cistern) epiphytes, hemi-epiphytes.

• Protoepiphytes represent the least specialized group of epiphytes. They are only to a small extent protected from periodic droughts and lack of soil. Protoepiphytes do not have special structures for collecting water. Many protoepiphytes have features characteristic of xeromorphic plants. Most epiphytic plants classified in this group have fleshy (succulent) leaves that can retain some moisture. Such leaves are common for some peperomia, lastovniaceae, and gesneriaceae.
  Some liana-like epiphytes store water in thick, fleshy stems. In many orchids, one or more internodes of the stem become very thick, turning into peculiar above-ground tubers (tuberidia).

• Nesting and bracket (pocket) epiphytes have adaptations that allow the accumulation of various organic residues, which over time turn into humus and provide the plant with nutrition.
  In nesting epiphytes, which include many ferns, aroids and orchids, the roots form a densely intertwined mass, vaguely reminiscent of a bird's nest. Dead leaves and other plant debris falling from above are retained in this trap and, gradually accumulating, turn into humus.
  In some bracket epiphytes, all or part of the leaves adjacent to the tree trunk form peculiar funnels or pockets. Humus gradually accumulates in them. The leaves from which the pocket is formed, in cross-section, vaguely resemble round brackets. The most famous representative of bracket epiphytes is the staghorn fern ( Ptatycerium bifurcation).

• Reservoir (cistern) epiphytes most adapted to life on other plants. They are found only among species of the bromeliad family. Typical bromeliads, e.g. Aechmea fasciata, have long, hard leaves collected in a rosette forming a small cup-shaped reservoir. In some plants it can contain up to 5 liters of water.
  The flora and fauna of reservoirs inside bromeliads is extremely unique and abundant. For example, some Brazilian species of bladderworts are found only in bromeliads.

see also

Links

• Epiphytes- article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Notes

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