Rainforest Biome - Tropical Rainforest Plants

What are Tropical rainforests?

Tropical rainforests have hot climate and it rains throughout the year there. The season does not change. This is conducive for plant growth. It has enormous biodiversity. The heat and moisture causes dead plants to decay. This provides nutrients to the other plants. Water evaporates and forms clouds above the canopy.

The following kinds of vegetation is found:-

• Emergent trees are 100 to 120 feet tall. They form umbrella shaped canopies that grow above the canopy of the forest. They have small pointed leaves.
• A closed canopy of 80-foot tall trees. Light is available at the top and greatly diminished below it.
• A closed canopy of 60-foot tall trees. There is high humidity and restricted air movement.
• Shrub layer. Very little light is available.
• There are litter and wet leaves at the bottom of the forest layer.

Epiphytes grow on branches high in the trees. Lianas are woody wines which grow in the gap in the canopy. Stranglers send their roots downwards to the forest floor. Saprophytes obtain nutrition from decaying organic matter. Parasites feed on other trees. Climbers are present in the understory.

There are certain attributes of tropical vegetation. Drip tips on leaves cause water to flow off and aid transpiration. The leaves are large an adaptation to get maximum sunlight which is essential for growth. Broad, woody flanges act as buttresses at the base of the trunk. They have large, fleshy fruits. Flowers grow directly from the bark. They may have very thin barks having thorns or spines.

The topsoil of the Tropical rainforests is very thin and devoid of nutrients. Vegetation is lush because the plants store nutrients in themselves rather than obtaining it from the soil. The main source of nutrients is the decayed plants.

Varieties of Tropical plants

Some of the tropical rainforest plants are pineapple, pepper, palm tree, orchid, fern, peanut, orange, lemon, coffee, banana and avocado. Also present are Sawpalm, Cat's-foot, Venus Fly-Trap, Lichen Moss, Twisty grass, Teak, Cypress, Live Oak, Parasol Plant, Sargasso, Sesame, Cedar, Palmetto and Pitcher plant

Location of Tropical rainforests

Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest. The tropical rain forests are located near the equator. They are found in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, Central and South America. Tropical forests are also present in temperate areas like Russia, Canada and the US. It is difficult to traverse Tropical rainforests because of dense vegetation and poor visibility.

Importance of tropical rainforests

Tropical rainforests are the lungs of the earth. They are a major source of oxygen. Most of the plant species grow there. Many plants and trees have medicinal uses. For example Quinine is used for the treatment of malaria. Vincristine, extracted from the rainforest plant, periwinkle is used for the treatment of Cancer. Trees prevent soil erosion. They prevent flooding. Tropical rainforests are a gift to mankind.

Tropical forests are under threat by mankind. Farmers clear them to acquire more land for agriculture. They are also cleared for supporting human inhabitation. Trees are cut down for their timber. Trees are used as fuel and for manufacturing paper. Tropical rainforests are being destroyed at an alarming rate. It is important to conserve them for posterity.