There are many different types of tropical plants that thrive in a humid environment. With favorable temperatures and plenty of water, it is no wonder rainforests can be quite dense with foliage.
Climate
Rainforests are very humid and the average temperatures hover around seventy to ninety degrees (F). There is no seasonal change within the rainforest, and the high temperature remains year round. Typical yearly rainfall is between one hundred to four hundred inches, making rainforests the wettest region on earth. Extreme heat and moisture allows for quick rotting and decaying of plants, meaning nutrients are released back into soil once a plant has died. This makes for an extremely favorable environment for many different types of plants.
Medicinal Use
The rainforest has many unique species of plants, which are continuously being discovered and studied by both botanists and those in the medical field. Several treatments have been found in rainforest plants for many illnesses and ailments.
Trees
Trees in the rainforest grow very tall in effort to reach sunlight. Heights of over one hundred and twenty feet are not uncommon. The leaves are generally very large, thick and waxy. Many different kinds of flowering plants grow on trees, which are known as air plants, since they do not put roots into soil. They are able to thrive on the surrounding air and water, and many produce fruit.
Plant Layers
The rainforest is divided into layers of plants. The first layer is the emergent layer which include the tallest trees that receive the sun’s rays directly. The next layer is the canopy which is a cover of many trees just below the emergent layer. This section is almost like a garden, and many organisms thrive here such as monkeys, hummingbirds, reptiles and insects. The under-story is the next layer and it consists of smaller trees and plants such as bushes. The under-story does not receive much sunlight and thus is very dark. The forest floor is the final layer. Since it is extremely dark here, not many plants take root here. Larger animals roam the floor and gather food from the dropping leaves and plants.
Complex Environment
The tropical rainforest is a complex environment, made up of many layers and many different species of plants. Currently, plants are still being discovered, because there are so many to find that do not grow elsewhere. These are helpful in curing illnesses, and with the ideal moisture and temperature, the rainforest is home to many.
Rachel Campbell - Rachel is a freelance writer and author specializing in producing engaging web content on a variety of topics. Her diverse background and ...
