Plants Living on Trees

Some plants live on trees, such as the Strangler Vine. The tree on which the plant grows is called the host tree. This vine begins to grow on the tree trunk, and then takes nutrients away from the host trees roots by sending its own roots to the ground. The Strangler Vine is named so because it blocks the sunlight from the host tree and causes it to die. Epiphyte, a kind of plant, includes orchids and ferns. They get water, nutrients, and food from the air. Another plant that clings to trees, the lianas, grow with the host tree. These tropical vines in the canopy would otherwise not be able to reach the sunlight. This is a Strangler Vine.