EPIPHYTES 97 



absorption, structures for the storage of water, or modifications for 

 preventing excessive transpiration. These characteristics are 

 exhibited most markedly by epiphytes that occur near the tops of 

 trees, where there is a high degree of exposure and progressively 

 less by those lower down. In tropical forests where epiphytes are 

 abundant there are certain species that occur only near the tops of 



Fig. 43.— Large fig tree with the Palmetto host still vigorous. (Photograph 

 by William Trelease. Courtesy of Dr. George T. Moore and the Missouri 

 Botanical Garden.) 



the trees, others that occupy intermediate positions and still otiiers 

 that grow only lower down where the air is constantly humid. 



In moist tropical forests certain kinds of epiphytes occur on 

 leaves. These, because of their position, are called epiphylls. 

 Lichens, mosses, and even some vascular plants grow as epiphvlls. 

 7 



