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Tropical Forest Biome Plants

A tropical forest biome is a biological community located near the equator, which consists predominantly of trees and woody vegetation. Tropical forests, particularly rainforests, have warm, moist climates with little seasonal difference in temperature. Flora is abundant and diverse, and many plant species are specifically adapted for life in the tropical forest.

Orchids
- Some orchids grow on tree branches.
  
  Prized for their beauty, orchid blossoms come in nearly every color imaginable. According to Rainforest Alliance, at least 10,000 types of orchids grow in the tropics. Orchids vary greatly in size, shape and color. Some orchids grow in soil, but many are epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees or other plants and absorb nutrients and water from the atmosphere.
Bromeliads
- Small frogs often live in the water collected in the leaves of bromeliads.
  
  Bromeliads are characterized by stiff, waxy leaves designed to catch and hold rainwater like a bowl. The water trapped in the bromeliad often provides a mini-ecosystem for small animals such as frogs, salamanders, snails and insects. According to Rainforest Alliance, more than 2,700 species of bromeliads exist. Perhaps the most well-know bromeliad is the pineapple. Bromeliads often bear brightly colored flowers in red, orange, purple, blue or yellow. Epiphytic bromeliads, sometimes called air plants, grow in abundance on tree branches.
Lianas
- Lianas are a type of thick, woody vine commonly found in tropical forests. Lianas wrap themselves around tree trunks while climbing upward to the sunlight above the canopy. Types of lianas include philodendron, rattan and Strychnos toxifera (the source for the poison strychnine).
Strangler Fig
- A member of the genus Ficus, the strangler fig tree provides food and shelter to many animals, including parrots, monkeys, toucans and bats. Because the dense jungle allows little light to penetrate the forest floor, the strangler fig uses an aggressive tactic for survival. Animals deposit strangler fig seeds through their droppings onto tree branches high above the ground. The seeds sprout, and the seedlings send roots downward to the ground and outward to wrap around the host tree. The roots squeeze the host tree as the strangler fig grows toward the sunlight. Eventually, the host tree dies, and the strangler fig stands on its own.
Cacao Tree
- Chocolate is derived from processed cacao beans.
  
  The cacao tree grows mainly in the tropical forests of Central and South America. The cacao tree is able to grow in the shade and requires warm, moist conditions. Chocolate is derived from the seeds found inside the fruit or cacao pods. The seeds, called cacao beans, are removed from the pods, fermented, dried and processed into cocoa paste. Cocoa paste is a dark brown, bitter substance from which chocolate products are made. Cacao beans are an important crop in the tropics. According to Chocolate.org, mature cacao trees can produce up to 1,000 pounds of cocoa per acre for about half a century.

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