Elkhorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) These elegant native ferns are often sold mounted on a piece of wood to mimic their natural habit of clinging to tree trunks, but they will happily grow in a pot. Mature plants have shield-like basal fronds from which thinner, forked, grey-green fronds grow, resembling the antlers of an elk.

They grow high up on trees to get more sunlight. This helps them thrive in shady forests. A single rainforest tree can have many epiphytes. In fact, over 50 species of epiphyte might grow on one tree. Together, these plants can weigh several tons. Ferns. Ferns are ancient plants that have thrived in tropical rainforests for millions of years.

Native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, this plant thrives in humid, shaded environments. In its natural habitat, it is often found growing as a ground cover or climbing tree trunks. Morphology. Leaves: The Arrowhead plant derives its name from the distinctive arrow-shaped leaves that are its hallmark. Young plants ...

Smaller plants like flowers and ferns grow early in the spring with long, quick-growing leaves to absorb sunlight before the forest trees leaf out and block the sun. ... and twigs. The trees then cut off the water supply to the leaves, sealing off the area between the leaf stem and the tree trunk. With limited sunlight and water, the leaves ...

These trees are joined by mosses and ferns that cling to moist rocks and tree trunks, completing the forest’s layered structure. As the trail climbs, the environment shifts to a montane forest. Here, towering ponderosa pines, incense cedars, and sugar pines replace the deciduous trees of the valley.