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Southeast Asian Rain Forest Plants

The tropical rain forests of the world occur along the equator. Though there are many similarities, there are differences between the tropics of Asia and those of the Amazon. The rain forests of Southeast Asia are the oldest in the world, dating to the Pleistocene Epoch. These forests are spread between 20,000 islands between Asia and Australia. The plants in these rain forests don't flower or fruit at the same time. Some may only produce fruit every three years; others go into hibernation during the hottest seasons. This is why the fig tree is so important to these forests -- it produces fruit three times a year.

Trees
- According to Blue Planet Biomes, three species of tropical rain forest trees are essential to forest life. The Durian, one of Asia's most primitive trees, is a sub canopy rain forest tree that can grow to heights of 130 feet. The Durian depends on the Dawn Bat to eat its odorous fruit and spread its seed. The Kapok tree is a 150-foot emergent, which means it rises above the canopy, providing a home for all animals who need sunlight. The seeds, leaves, bark and resin of this tropical giant have been used for centuries as treatment for dysentery, fever, asthma and kidney disease. Mangrove trees grow in bunches called mangrove forests. These bunches grow in wetlands surrounding the rain forest and provide soil stability -- 10.5 million acres of mangrove forests are found in Southeast Asia.
Bamboo
- Bamboo grasses can reach 80 feet in height.
  
  Bengal bamboo or Indian Bamboo is plentiful in Southeast Asian rain forests. This plant grows in bunches and can reach anywhere from 40 to 80 feet in height. Bamboo is a fast-growing species of grass, once the shafts reach a width of 3 inches they only grow taller, never wider. Bamboo is an essential rain forest element. The roots stabilize the soil, it sucks up extra water preventing floods and it provides shelter and food for many rain forest animals. Bamboo is widely harvested for use in Indian paper production as well as construction. Though it isn't listed as an endangered species yet, according to Blue Planet Biomes, people are beginning to be cautious about how much bamboo they take from forests.
Edibles
- Fig trees produce edible fruit enjoyed by both humans and animals.
  
  There are more than 1,000 species of ficus found all across the world, and those in the Southeast Asian rain forests produce figs. Fig trees are known as the keystone of the rain forest, according to Blue Planet Biomes because of how many species depend on them. These trees bear fruit several times a year, keeping many jungle animals from starving. Additionally, the sesame plant is a shrub now cultivated agriculturally but native to Southeast Asia. Ginger is a tropical Asian root well known for its flavor. The familiar holiday scents of cloves and nutmeg come from tropical Asian trees. Finally, the pummelo is the largest citrus fruit in the world and is found in the rain forests of Southeast Asia.
Shrubs and Vines
- It is hard to tell which vines are growing up and which vines are growing down in the rainforest.
  
  Ground dwelling plants in the rain forest have to hardy. They must survive amid conditions of low light, crowding and water-logged soils. Because of this these factors, plants have become resourceful, using the trees to get them into higher territory where they can catch some sun. Lianas are woody vines that begin on the forest floor as shrubs and wind their way up the trunks of tall trees until they reach patches of light. Rain forest trees have been known to shed limbs in an effort to get rid of Lianas, according to Mongabay. Hemiepiphytes are vines that grow in the opposite direction. They sprout in the canopy and sustain themselves until they can reach the soil below to feed.

Nature