Epiphytes are plants that root and perch on other plants or nonliving objects. True epiphytes, also termed holoepiphytes, are plants that never root in soil; this type completes its entire life cycle anchored to a host plant, and receives mineral nutrients only from nonterrestrial sources.
What are features of epiphytes? An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant (such as a tree) non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object (such as a building or a ...  Orchids. Orchids are the most successful epiphytes of the tropical rainforest. There are over 20,000 species of orchid, most of which are epiphytes. Orchids survive as epiphytes by taking up water rapidly when it is available and by restricting its loss during drought. Epiphytes, which include many species of orchid, are plants that live on the surface of other plants. Although they live on other plants, epiphytes are not parasites. An epiphyte does not obtain nutrients or water from the tree it lives on. The only thing they receive from the trees on which they live is support. Epiphytes in the Wild. -Orchids in the wild. Most epiphytic orchids are found growing in tropical areas below the canopy of trees. They attach themselves high up in plants, typically trees, as a way to obtain more sunlight.  Definition of EPIPHYTE. : a plant that derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and grows usually on another plant. See epiphyte defined for kids. ADVERTISEMENT.  Living Collection. Nearly 200 expeditions to the tropics and subtropics have contributed to the MSBG collections of more than 12,500 accessions of documented live plants, which include some 6,000 species in 1,200 genera from 214 plant families. The living collection is a scientific resource.  Air plant. Air plants, or epiphytes, complete part or all of their life cycle anchored or perched on another plant or structure rather than rooted in the soil. They obtain water and nutrients from dew, air moisture, rainwater and collected plant debris via adventitious (growing from the stem or leaf) and aerial roots.  These usually turn out to be epiphytes, plants that requires another plant as a support, but don't take anything from the host. Many of these interesting plants are rare, and some are even endangered. Unlike parasitic plants, epiphytes get everything they need from the sun, moisture in the air, and organic matter that falls their way. Spanish moss is an epiphyte, as are many bromeliads and orchids. Some ferns, algae, and lichens are also epiphytic. Epiphytes may live high in the tree canopy or on the trunk of a tree. Many are also found in the lower branches, where they enjoy the shade. Some epiphytic plants can be grown in soil, but require relatively small containers 1. epiphyte-plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain; usually grows on another plant but not parasitic on it. aerophyte, air plant, epiphytic plant. plant life, flora, plant - (botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion. Clusia insignis, waxflower-epiphytic clusia of British Guiana. hemiepiphyte, semiepiphyte-a plant that is an epiphyte for part of its life. strangler, strangler tree-an epiphytic vine or tree whose aerial roots extend down the trunk of a supporting tree and coalesce around it eventually strangling the tree. EPIPHYTES AND HEMIEPIPHYTES. Epiphytes are plants that root and perch on other plants or nonliving objects. True epiphytes, also termed holoepiphytes, are plants that never root in soil; this type completes its entire life cycle anchored to a host plant, and receives mineral nutrients only from nonterrestrial sources. 
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_adaptations_of_epiphytes http://www.earthfacts.com/rainforests/epiphytes/ http://www.orchidplantcare.info/epiphyte-orchid-plants/ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphyte http://selby.org/botany/collections/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/adaptations/Epiphyte http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/epiphytes.html http://www.thefreedictionary.com/epiphyte http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/lifeforms/epiphytes/
what are epiphytes