42 
than in the other families belonging to the same order. 
either epiphytes, that is, grow- 
ing attached to other plants, or 
terrestrial; the examples just 
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 successfully 
grown in greenhouses upon 
pieces of wood, as is the case 
Fic. 38.—Pipewort (Hriocaulon septau- 
gulare). Showing enlarged flower and 
whole plant, natural size. Original. 
in dense spikes or panicles. 
FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 
They are 
ae Dy r 
Fic. 37.—Yellow-eyed grass (Kyris torta). 
Showing portion of plant and enlarged flower. 
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 
The calyx and corolla are distinct, often 
