DENDROLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -symbiosis. epiphyte, also called air plant, any plant that grows upon another plant or object merely for physical support. Epiphytes have no attachment to the ground or other obvious nutrient source and are not parasitic on the supporting plants.

Detailed explanation-2: -An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phorophytes.

Detailed explanation-3: -What are epiphytes? Epiphytes are plants that live and grow on other plants. Orchids growing on trees have a special kind of symbiotic relationship with their hosts.

Detailed explanation-4: -Epiphytic roots are a type of aerial root that enable a plant to grow on another plant. For example, the epiphytic roots of orchids develop a spongy tissue to absorb moisture. The banyan tree (Ficus sp.) begins as an epiphyte, germinating in the branches of a host tree.