Many tropical ferns live on other plants without withdrawing nutrients from them. These ferns are said to be ____.

Question

Many tropical ferns live on other plants without withdrawing nutrients from them. These ferns are said to be ____.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Epiphytes are organisms that grow on the surface of a plant and derive their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water, or from debris accumulating around them. They do not harm the plant they grow on, unlike parasites which extract nutrients from their host. Tropical ferns that live on other plants without harming them or taking nutrients directly from them fit this description.

Many Tropical Ferns Live on Other Plants Without Withdrawing Nutrients