NAME AND PICTURE
SCIENTIFIC NAME OF
PLANT
GROWING LOCATION
DEFENCE MECHANISMS
KEY/UNIQUE
CHARACTERISTICS ABOUT
THE PLANT
Strangler fig
Ficus hartwegii,
They originally start
growing as epiphytes (a
plant that grows on
another plant but is not
parasitic) in the crook
of a tree or on its
branches. The seeds of
the strangler fern are
tiny and sticky which
allows them to stick to
the host tree.
It is beneficial that the
strangler fig starts its life
high in the canopy of the
forest so it can get the
nutrients it needs from the
very beginning. There is an
immense competition for
sunlight on the forest floor.
The strangler fig then works
its way down the host tree
and forms its own root
system. After a while they
completely “strangle” the
host tree depriving it from
nutrients and sunlight until
it finally dies and the
strangler fig stands alone.
There is an great
competition for sunlight in
the rainforest, the fact that
orchids is and epiphyte
gives it an advantage,
allowing it to reach more
sunlight and nutrients. They
It also can grow to be 148
feet tall.
Ficus crassiuscula
The giant Ficus
tuerckheimii
There are many
species of orchids but
the name of the genus
is:
Orchidaceae
Orchid
Orchids are epiphytes
(a plant that grows on
another plant but is not
parasitic), it grows on
another tree.
have roots with a large
surface area for rapid
absorption of nutrients and
water. Their secondary stems
can hold stores of water so
the plant can withstand
periods of drying.
It also has a hollow center
where the host tree used to
be.
Very important plant
species in the rainforest.
They bear fruit several
times a year providing lots
of food for many animals.
Is equipped with a small
bucket structure behind the
flower. The flower
produces and oil which
drips into the "bucket" and
attracts bees with its
unique odor
The largest flowering plant
group in the world.
Orchids have a large lip on
the flower known as a
labellum
There are many
different species of
pitcher plants in the
area but the genus of
the plant and the word
that all the names
start with is:
These plants grow in
the soil of the forest
floor. They thrive in
nitrogen poor soil.
Nepenthes
Pitcher plant
Tectona grandis
(Common Teak)
Tectona hamiltoniana
(Dahat Teak)
Teak tree
Teak trees grow on the
forest floor. They teak
trees can grow in both
arid and wet areas but
tend to grow more in
areas that average 1,
250 -1, 650 mm of rain
per year and only have
a dry season that is 3-5
months long.
They are carnivorous plants
that trap their prey using a
pitfall trap, which is a deep
cavity filled with liquid.
Insects are attracted to the
cavity due to visual lures
like anthocyanin pigments
or nectar bribes. The sides
of the pitcher are slippery
and can be grooved in such
a way that the insects
cannot get out. The
nutrients the plants get
from eating the insects
allow the plants to survive
on the forest floor where it
is otherwise hard to get
enough nutrients.
The pitcher plant has
unique tubular leaves that
look like a slender vase or
pitcher, which is why they
are called pitcher plants.
The teak is a very fast
growing tree, which means
that it reaches the canopy
level very quickly and is
able to thrive in the
rainforest.
Grow to a height of 30 –
40m
They are also very strong
trees and can withstand a
lot of force.
These pitchers can take on
many fantastic and unique
shapes and sizes.
Have a cherry-like fruit
called drupe.
Teak has a very pretty
colour and is very strong,
therefore, it is in demand
for the furniture and
hardwood flooring
industries.
Lagenaria siceraria
It is a freestanding tree
and grows on the forest
floor where it is able to
sink its roots into the
ground and extract
nutrients.
The calabash has hard,
cannonball-like fruits that
are difficult to break open,
this is to prevent seed
predation (granivores /
seed predators feed on
seeds as their exclusive
food source leaving the
seeds unviable)
The flower of the calabash
tree blooms in the evening
and emits a slight odour.
The flowers then close at
noon
Tillansias is the genus
of the airplant there
are many different
species names that
can be the second part
of the scientific name.
They grow without soil.
They cling to trees
(epiphyte) and extract
excess moisture from
the air.
These plants grow on other
trees high up in the canopy
where they are exposed to a
lot of sunlight. Their ability
to extract moisture from the
air allows them to survive
without soil or typical roots;
their roots are only used for
support not to obtain water.
They absorb water through
its leaves.
Have white scented flowers
spotted with red, purple or
rose.
Pleopeltis
polypodioides
The resurrection fern
grows attached to the
branches of forest trees
(epiphyte)
Its rhizomes grow
creeping along cracks in
the host trees branches.
The resurrection fern gets
its name because of its
defense mechanism against
droughts it is able to
survive decades without
water and still be able to
return to a healthy state
after some watering.
The resurrection fern has
doubly compounded leaves,
spores and true roots
unlike normal ferns.
Calabash
They need to grow in
moderately humid
areas because they rely
on the moisture from
the air for survival.
The fruits can be used for
bowls, cups and other
containers.
Tiny silver scales that cover
the plant absorb water.
Air plants
Resurrection fern
The leaves of the fern are
called fronds and they
contain spores on the
underside of the leaf.
Brugmansia is the
genus of this
spectacular plant;
there are several
species in this genus.
Angel’s Trumpet tree
Cocos nuciferai is the
coconut palm tree
that coconuts grow
on.
Coconut
Mimosa pudica
Angel’s trumpets do
best in damp conditions
with warm days and
cool nights.
The Angel’s trumpet
tree is its own
freestanding tree and it
grows on the forest
floor of the rainforest
where it has access to
the soil. Does not
require too much
sunlight.
Thrives in sandy soils
and prefers areas with
abundant sunlight and
regular rainfall. It
grows on its own in the
ground as opposed to
growing off of other
plants.
The sensitive plant
grows in the soil and in
warm conditions.
All parts of angel's trumpet
are poisonous, or at least
narcotic in small doses.
When it is referred to as
poisonous it indicates that
in large quantities the plant
can make whatever eats it
ill or can possible kill them.
The plant also has an
unappetizing taste that
often wards animals off
before they eat enough to
be poisoned.
The flowers are trumpetshaped and can grow up to
20 inches long. They can
come in shades of white,
peach, pink, orange or
yellow.
The thick skin, buoyant
husk and internal air bubble
allow the coconut to
withstand exposure to salt
water for up to two months.
This allows the seeds to be
dispersed in far off places
and spread the growth of
the palm further. During the
long trips across the seas
the seed is nourished by the
endosperm (white coconut
meat).
The hard outer of the seed
also protects the seed from
other predators.
The foliage closes during
darkness. The leaves also
close under various other
stimuli, such as touching,
warming, blowing, or
shaking. It has been
observed that folded and
drooped leaves are not
The palms grow to over 20
m tall. It has green fanshaped leaves that can
grow to be 18 ft long.
The fruits are oval and 3-6"
long.
They have some of the
largest seeds in the world.
Coconut oil is rich in lauric
acid, which is known for
being anti-viral,
antibacterial and antifungal. Coconut oil is now
being recognized as a
powerful tool against
immune diseases.
The sensitive plant has a
pink flower and can grow to
39 inches.
The stems are reddish
brown, prickly, branching,
and upright to more
commonly trailing,
Sensitive plant
attractive to herbivores, and especially in older plants.
are often passed by in favor
of more normal appearing
leaves to eat. Also, folded
and drooped leaves
exchange less heat and
water than fully expanded
leaves, and this might have
some survival value when
the plants are under
environmental stress.