Answer: Rainforest plants are in a constant battle, not just with the insects, fungi, birds and mammals that eat them, but also with each other.
In order to get the sunlight that they need, plants have to be able to grow faster, or to have bigger leaves, than their neighbours.
Plants protect themselves from predators using various strategies. Some tropical rainforest plants are poisonous, some have thorns, some have thick bark and others have tough leaves.
But it’s not all about keeping animals away. Rainforest plants also have to attract the animals that help them to pollinate. Pollination is the process that starts a new plant growing. 90% of flowering plants require animal assistance to pollinate.
One of the plants in the tropical rainforest that has developed a special relationship with an insect is the Bucket Orchid.
The bee is trapped in the orchid long enough for the wax that holds the pollen to the bee’s body to set. The male bee then flies off. Not only will he now be attractive to female bees – if he visits another bucket orchid, he will also pollinate the flower.
