Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

What is an example of an epiphytic plant?

1. Bromeliad

2. Oak tree

3. Maple tree

4. Rose bush

The correct answer is: Bromeliad

An epiphytic plant is one that grows on another plant for support, often deriving moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, or debris that accumulates around it rather than from the soil. Bromeliads are classic examples of epiphytes; they typically grow on trees or other surfaces in their natural habitat, allowing them to access sunlight and moisture in environments where ground-based resources are scarce. In contrast, oak and maple trees are examples of terrestrial plants that grow directly in the soil, drawing nutrients from the ground. Rose bushes also grow in the soil, relying on their root systems for stability and nourishment. These characteristics distinctly differentiate them from epiphytes, highlighting the uniqueness of bromeliads as they adapt to their arboreal environments.