探索廣闊而奇妙的附生植物世界

探索廣闊而奇妙的附生植物世界

The name "terrestrial epiphytes" doesn't roll off the tongue, but if you've spent any time on Pinterest or home design blogs, you've no doubt seen variations of epiphytic plants making the rounds.

“陸生附生植物”這個名字并不容易脫口而出，但如果你在Pinterest或家居設(shè)計博客上花過時間，你肯定見過各種各樣的附生植物。

This large tree in Brazil's Ibirapuera Park holds hundreds (thousands?) of epiphytes. (Photo: Renan C. [CC by SA 4.0]/Wikimedia Commons)

Found in tropical and temperate regions of the world, epiphytes often live on other plants, grabbing nutrients from the air, rain or organic debris from their accommodating hosts. This peaceful co-existence (epiphytes aren't parasitic and do not harm their hosts) can also be extended to your home with some research on indoor-friendly options.

附生植物生活在世界的熱帶和溫帶地區(qū)，通常以其他植物為食，從空氣、雨水或寄主的有機物中獲取營養(yǎng)。這種和平共處(附生植物不是寄生的，也不傷害它們的主人)也可以擴展到你的家里，研究一些室內(nèi)友好的選擇。

While epiphytes aren't indestructible, they are relatively low-maintenance, provided you do a little homework upfront about their preferred environment and care. From terrariums to sea urchin shells to old logs, these soil-less plants can turn even the blackest of thumbs into a proud Plant Parent.

雖然附生植物不是堅不可摧的，但它們的維護成本相對較低，前提是你提前做一些功課，了解它們喜歡的環(huán)境和護理。從培養(yǎng)箱到海膽殼再到古老的原木，這些沒有泥土的植物甚至可以把最黑的拇指變成驕傲的植物父母。

Tillandsia ionantha can thrive just about anywhere, including on a tree branch. (Photo: David J. Stang [CC-BY-SA-4.0]/Wikimedia Commons)

Arguably the most popular for growing indoors, there are dozens of variations on Tillandsia ionantha. They can be grown in terrariums, seashells, crystals or any kind of crevice. Just be sure to give them bright, indirect light (yes, your office's fluorescent lights will actually work!) and a good misting twice a week.

可以說，最受歡迎的室內(nèi)種植，有幾十種變種的紫堇。它們可以在terrariums，貝殼，水晶或者任何縫隙中生長。只要確保給他們明亮的，間接的光(是的，你辦公室的熒光燈實際上也有用)和一個良好的霧一周兩次。

A staghorn fern flourishes on a tree in New South Wales. (Photo: Annette Teng [CC by 3.0]/Wikimedia Commons)

Who says houseplants are high-maintenance? Both the bird's nest and staghorn fern can be grown with or without soil, with the latter growing as much as three feet wide. These ferns love humidity, natch, but don't like sitting in water — think moist, not soggy.

誰說室內(nèi)植物很容易保養(yǎng)?燕窩和鹿角蕨都可以在有或沒有土壤的情況下生長，后者可以長到3英尺寬。當然，這些蕨類植物喜歡潮濕，但不喜歡泡在水里——潮濕，而不是浸泡。

A bald cypress tree with Spanish moss on the Wacissa River, Florida. (Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters [CC by 2.0]/Flickr)

Is there anything more iconic to the American South than Spanish moss? This folklore-rich epiphyte, referred to as "Grandpa's beard" in French Polynesia, is happiest living harmoniously on live oak and bald cypress trees. (With proper misting and light, it can also grow indoors.) Contrary to popular belief, it isn't parasitic, though if it grows too thick it can prevent the tree's leaves from getting enough sunlight, thereby stunting growth.

在美國南部，還有什么比西班牙苔蘚更具有標志性的嗎?這種民俗豐富的附生植物，在法屬波利尼西亞被稱為“爺爺?shù)暮?rdquo;，是最幸福的和諧地生活在活著的橡樹和禿柏樹。(如果有適當?shù)撵F和光線，它也可以在室內(nèi)生長。)與人們普遍認為的相反，它并不是寄生的，但如果它長得太厚，就會阻礙樹葉獲得足夠的陽光，從而阻礙生長。

An epiphytic orchid in the National Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. (Photo: Shiny Things [CC by 2.0]/Flickr)

There are an incredible 22,000 species of orchids in this world, and around 70% of them are epiphytic. Popular orchids that require no soil are the Ansellia africana and Mystacidium capense. Their roots' large surface area allows them to quickly suck in water and nutrients, while extra water is stored in their secondary stems for unexpected droughts.

世界上有令人難以置信的22,000種蘭花，其中70%是附生的。最受歡迎的不需要土壤的蘭花是非洲蘭花和天竺葵。它們的根系表面積大，可以迅速吸收水分和營養(yǎng)物質(zhì)，而額外的水分則儲存在次生莖中，以備不測的干旱。

Tillandsia recurvata (aka ball moss) grows on its tree host. (Photo: Kohlnf [CC by SA 3.0]/Wikimedia Commons)

Related to Spanish moss, ball moss also likes growing on trees such as the southern live oak. Ball mass requires high humidity and little airflow. The tangled sphere is no freeloader though; it photosynthesizes its own food, collects water from its leaves, and can grow as big as a soccer ball.

球苔與西班牙苔蘚有親緣關(guān)系，也喜歡生長在南方橡樹等樹上。球團需要高濕度和小氣流。然而，纏結(jié)的球體并不是一個白吃白住的人;它能進行光合作用，從葉子中收集水分，并能長得像足球那么大。

A Christmas cactus in full bloom. (Photo: Aaron Hyatali [public domain]/Wikimedia Commons)

When you think of cacti's preferred environment, an arid landscape with plenty of sand and sun probably comes to mind. But there are actually 19 species of epiphytic plants in the cacti family, and they happen to love living in trees in rainforests, absorbing light through their elongated leaves. Check out Schlumbergera genus, whose common name often depends on when it flowers. (In the Northern Hemisphere, we call it Christmas cactus; in Brazil, it's the May flower.)

當你想到仙人掌喜歡的環(huán)境時，你腦海中可能會浮現(xiàn)出一幅有大量沙子和陽光的干旱景觀。但仙人掌科實際上有19種附生植物，它們恰巧喜歡生活在雨林中的樹木中，通過它們細長的葉子吸收陽光。看看Schlumbergera屬，它的常見名稱通常取決于它什么時候開花。(在北半球，我們叫它圣誕仙人掌;在巴西，它是五月花。)