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Rain Forest Ecosystem Plants

An ecosystem is an interdependency of organisms within their environmental community. A rain forest ecosystem consists of dense forest with a wide array of animal and plant species that inhabit tropical areas near the Equator. Rain forests supply the majority of the Earth's oxygen via photosynthesis, in part because they are homes to 40 percent of the Earth's plant (and animal) species. A few of the many plants that grow in the rain forest include bromeliads, lianas, orchids, coffee and carnivorous varieties.

Bromeliads
- Bromeliads are classified in the family Bromeliaceae, which is comprised of more than 3,000 species of plants. One of the most popular bromeliads is the pineapple; however, their range of appearance is extremely diverse, including those that are grassy or mossy. Many bromeliads have waxy, thick leaves arranged in a bowl-like configuration. In some species, the bowl-shaped leaves capture gallons of water, creating a mini-ecosystem for small animals such as frogs, snails and salamanders.
Lianas
- Liana or liane is the common name for any type of woody, climbing vine or plant found in rain forests. They have various shapes, grow up to 3,000 feet in length and are represented within several plant family classifications. Many are used to create wicker furniture and baskets. Philodendron and rattan palms (Calamus rotang) are examples of lianas.
Orchids
- Orchid is the nickname for members of the Orchidaceae plant family. There are more than 10,000 species of orchids, all of which are most common in tropical rain forests. Only 140 species are native to North America. Even though orchids consist of a vast array of sizes and colors, they have a characteristic configuration of three petals, three petal-like sepals, with the lower, central sepal having the appearance of a lip.
Coffee
- The coffee plant consists of more than 6,000 species and is a member of the Rubiaceeae family. Coffee plants are predominately used for their seeds (coffee beans), which are obtained primarily for commercial beverages. The arabica coffee plant (Coffea arabica ) corners approximately two-thirds of the world's coffee market. It accounts for 80 percent of the United State's coffee imports and is cultivated in Latin America and Africa.
  
  Some species of coffee plants are equally as famous for their flower blossoms -- such as Gardenia -- which is also used for commercial purposes.
Carnivorous Varieties
- Carnivorous varieties of plants are those that feed off of animal matter such as reptiles, insects and small mammals. Some species can grow to 30 feet in height with 12-inch-leaf structures that function as mouths. Venus fly traps (Dionaea muscipula) and pitcher plants (Nepenthes rafflesiana) are examples of carnivorous varieties.

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