Host size and abundance of hemiepiphytes in a subtropical stand of Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Hemiepiphytes comprise two major categories, those that begin their life cycle as epiphytes and later establish soil contact through long descendent roots (primary hemiepiphytes), and those that germinate in the soil and climb up using adherent roots, eventually becoming epiphytes after losing soil contact (secondary hemiepiphytes) (Putz & Holbrook 1986). In several features root-climbing lianas are similar to secondary hemiepiphytes, including adhesion by adventitious roots, ability to colonize host-trees of different sizes (Putz 1984), and colonization generally restricted to a single phorophyte, differing mainly in the retention of soil contact through strong stems.