42 



FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 



than in the other families belonging to the same order, 

 either epiphytes, that is, grow- 

 ing attached to other plants, or 

 terrestrial; the examples jnst 

 cited, of the long moss and the 

 pineapple, illustrate both 

 classes, In this connection the 

 distinction between an epiphyte 

 and a parasite should be care- 

 fully noted. An epiphyte at- 

 taches itself to another plant, 

 usually a tree or shrub, but de- 

 rives no nourishment from the 

 tissues of its host. Such 

 plants can be s ti c c e s s f u 1 ly 

 grown in greenhouses upon 

 pieces of Avood, as is the case 



They 



are 



Fig. HT.— Yellow-eyed grass (Kyrh torta). 

 Showing portion of plant and enlarged iiower. 

 Original. 



with many of our showiest orchids. 

 A parasite, on the other hand, de- 

 rives its sustenance either wholly or 

 in part from the host to which it is 

 attached. 



The Bromeliaceae contain about 

 35 genera and 900 species, entirely 

 of tropical or subtropical distribu- 

 tion. They have fleshy, often scurfy 

 leaves, and flowers for the most part 

 in dense spikes or panicles. The calyx and corolla are distinct, often 



Fig. 38.— Pipevvort (Eriocaulon septau- 

 gulart). Showing enlarged flower and 

 whole plant, natural size. Original. 



