alleryStart learning →How do tropical epiphytes obtain the water and minerals they need?
ABy tapping the vascular tissue of the host
BBy digesting insects trapped on their leaves
CBy rain and minerals collected in the branches
DBy deep roots reaching the forest floor soil
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. By rain and minerals collected in the branches
1. Epiphytes grow on other plants that serve as a physical support, high in the canopy where sunlight is plentiful.
2. They live on rain and minerals collected in the branches and leaves of the supporting plant.
3. Many of them have specialised tissues that capture and store water efficiently.
4. Tapping the host vascular tissue describes a parasite, and an epiphyte only uses the host for support.
5. Bromeliads, ferns and orchids are the examples of tropical epiphytes given.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 30 "Plant Form and Physiology", section 30.4 Leaves_
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