Living on Other Plants
Epiphytes grow on trees and rocks instead of in soil. They use their host only for support, not food, catching water and nutrients from rain, mist, and dust. (Plants that steal food from their host are called parasites.)
Air Plant
Tillandsia sp.
Air plants grow on trees and rocks with no soil at all. Tiny scales on their leaves soak up water and nutrients from rain, mist, and dust; the roots just hold on.
Hoya
Hoya carnosa
Hoya often grows perched on tree branches instead of in soil, using the tree only for support while gathering its own water and nutrients from the air.
Foxtail Orchid
सुनाखरी
Rhynchostylis retusa
This orchid grows on tree branches in Nepal’s forests, not in soil. Its dense, drooping spike of pink-spotted flowers looks like a fox’s tail and smells sweet.
Rabbit’s Foot Fern
उनिउँ
Davallia fejeensis
Its furry rhizomes creep over the edge of the pot like rabbit’s feet. In Fiji it grows on trees rather than in soil.
Rock Polypody
उनिउँ
Polypodium sp.
A fern that grows on rocks and tree trunks. Round clusters of spore cases sit in neat rows under each frond.
More in How Plants Live
The garden is alive and changes through the year. Some plants flower, fruit, or rest only in certain seasons, so what you see depends on when you visit.
See them for yourself
Every plant here grows on our campus in Bhaktapur. Walk the garden on your visit.
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