Tropical Rainforest Plants Characteristics
The plants found in this biome can be divided into three main categories.
Tropical rainforest plants characteristics. Very high annual rainfall high average temperatures nutrient-poor soil and high levels of biodiversity species richness. Tropical rainforests across the world are quite diverse but share several defining characteristics including climate precipitation canopy structure complex symbiotic relationships and diversity of species. This means that they have a high biodiversity.
The Amazon Rainforest alone boasts of over 40000 plant species. These are considered as adaptation. A leaf holding water could become too heavy and break.
Other characteristics that distinguish tropical species of trees from those of temperate forests include Exceptionally thin bark often only 1-2 mm thick. A related plant type the hemiepiphyte begins life in the canopy and grows long roots that eventually reach the forest floor. Tree trunks - these are tall and thin to allow trees to reach the sunlight.
These plants are rare because the temperature around the world is not perfect for the growth of the plants. Cauliflory the development of flowers and hence fruits directly from the trunk rather than at the tips of branches. Others climb trees to push their leaves toward the sun.
The leaves of rainforest plants are often waxy with thin tips known as drip-tips. Some plants have special leaves to collect as much of the sun that filters through the canopy as possible. Only plants that thrive in low light are to be found in this layer.
Tropical rainforests which worldwide make up one of Earths largest biomes major life zones are dominated by broad-leaved trees that form a dense upper canopy layer of foliage and contain a diverse array of vegetation and other life. Also present are Saw palm Cats-foot Lichen Moss Twisty grass Teak Cypress Live Oak Parasol Plant. Tropical Rainforest Plants.