This host plant is referred to as a porophyte, which functions mainly as a means of mechanical support. There are numerous ways to categorize epiphytes. They can be grouped according to relation to their host, habit, moisture needs, light needs or adaptability to substrates. Accidental - are not especially adapted to epiphytic growth but are infrequently found growing this way. Facultative - grow both in soil and on bark, usually in places where these two media are similar in physical make up.
Epiphytic occurrence depends on local climate and other such factors.
Hemiepiphytes - are generally associated with the strangler fig. These plants spend part of their life cycle in the soil and the other part in the canopy. True - live solely in the canopy and have special morphological, anatomical or physiological adaptation in order to obtain required nutrients. The most substansive families constituting some type of epiphytism are Araceae, Bromeliaceae, Ericaceae, Gesneriaceae, Melastomataceae, Piperaceae, Orchidaceae, Rubeaceae and some Pteridophytes. Are mostly exclusive to the Neotropics.