| Because the Amazon is so immense
in size, there are numerous species of plants scattered throughout. Many plants that exist
in the Amazon are unlike any other plants around the world. Many varieties are common to
only certain regions of the Amazon. Most of this is due to the fact that the Amazon has
remained largely untouched by humans. The forest is truly the lifeblood of the Amazon. Its
houses and provides for all the animals living in it. It was once discovered that a tree
in the Peruvian Amazon harbored 43 different species of ants. The Amazon Rainforest is home to a varieyy
of plants from the tall trees to the small moss. Tall trees are the defining look of the
rainforest providing for much beauty and scenery. These trees can grow to be as tall
as 60 feet and as thick as 6 feet in diameter. Because the Amazon houses a great
number of species of trees, there is no one tree that can be used to stereotype the
Amazon. The variety includes rubber trees, mahogany, purple velvet, and hundreds of
others. A huge source of the world's finest lumber comes from the Amazon. Dozens of plants
also live on the trees such vines. Vines use the trees as support to climb up to the top
of the canopy where they can obtain a source of sunlight.
Numerous ground plants cover the
Amazon as well. Ferns are very common to the Amazon floor. Another common feature of the
floor is large leaves. Plants on the ground need large leaves to obtain energy from
sunlight. In the forest, the canopy can sometimes block out much of the light. Since light
is the ultimate source of energy for plants, any light that falls to the forest floor has
to be absorbed or it is lost. Large leaves allow plants to absorb minute amounts of light.
Strewn over logs and other wet places are moss. Moss are extremely small plants that live
in damp, humid places. They need to live here because only through the water can they
reproduce. Water is a medium through which moss sperm and eggs can meet to form a zygotes.
|