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Epiphytes include orchids and bromeliads. Both have
adapted to require little water by having thick, waxy leaves. Bromeliads
channel water into their funnel-like centers, and some contain water
year-round. These provide water to canopy-dwelling animals, and bromeliad frogs
live their entire life cycle within these bromeliads, even laying their eggs in
the water within. These frogs never come into contact with the forest
floor. |
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Orchids often have fleshy pods and waxy leaves which can
store water. They produce tens of thousands of seeds so tiny that they are
barely visible. They float through the air, in the hope that perhaps one may
land in a favorable location. |
This orchid, the Brassavola nodosa, called locally the
"Lady of the Night", emits a very strong scent of cloves - but only at night.
This saves energy and yet attracts the night-flying moths which fertilize its
flowers. |
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One feature seen in some rainforest trees not seen
elsewhere is flowering directly from the trunk or woody part of the tree. This
is the cocoa tree. |
So of course the fruit of this tree grows as well right
from the trunk. Inside these pods are round "nuts" filled with a dark material
- from which cocoa is made! |
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One way to truely experience the canopy is to visit it!
At the Amazon Center for Environment Education and Research, there is a
1/4-mile walkway high up within the canopy! |
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Walking around 120 feet above the forest floor, you can
see more bird activity, canopy animals, and, you gently sway in the breeze
along with the trees.... |
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