3i8 



ZONES AND REGIONS 



[Pt. Ill, Sect. I 



(Figs. 158, 159) ; whereas in Europe only mosses, lichens, and small Algae' 

 can grow in such situations. In the rain-forest such small forms as are thej 

 epiphytic vegetation in Europe are usually driven out on to the leaves. | 

 which they frequently densely coat, and are then termed cpiphyllous\ 

 plants. 



The sites occupied by epiphytes generally appear little suited for the 



I 



Fig. 158. Obliquely growing tree-stem with epiphjtes. l-rom right to left: above, I'hilodemlron 

 cannaefoliiim ; below, pendent, Codonanlhe Devosiana ; above, Ficus sp. (arborescent:, Vriesea; 

 below, Anthurium sp., Rhipsalis two species. From a photograph by H. Schenck. 



nutrition of large plants. Epiphytes are, however, frequently found on very 

 rough bark, in the forks of branches where hcimus has collected, in the 

 persistent pocket-like leaf-bases of palms, and in similar positions. Many 

 of them occur chiefly on quite smooth surfaces, such as the mast-like 

 stems of many palms, the still smoother as it were polished stems of 

 bamboos, and also on glossy leaves. The wisps of Tillandsia usneoides 



I 



