Bird-pollinated orchids offer nectar as an attractant. A nother specialization of these fascinating plants is their ability to absorb and store water through an epidermal covering, called the velamen, on their roots. Since many are epiphytic, they are unable to obtain water from the soil. Instead, the velamen absorbs and holds water for the plant's roots to uptake. The velamen also serves as a protective covering for the roots.
Many terrestrial orchids have tuber-like roots which store water.
O rchids are commercially grown for the florist industry and are the source of vanilla flavoring. Cryptanthus acaulis 'Ruber' T he bromeliads, like many of the orchids, are largely epiphytic plants. The most familiar bromeliads are the pineapple and spanish moss. Bromeliads are native to tropical America and the West Indies and can be found growing everywhere from desert to mountain altitudes. B romeliads are fairly easy to grow as they will thrive even in low light conditions.