The Amazon rainforest is a wide expanse of heavy rainforest covering a vast area of South America. This forest mainly covers the country of Brazil. Home to more animal and plant species than anywhere else, it’s the plants that provide food and homes for forest life.
There are around 80,000 species of Amazon Rainforest plants, which grow as trees, shrubs, bushes, and vines, creating a wildlife-filled environment. In this blog, we will learn about 15 of the most fascinating of them.
Here are some reasons why the Amazonian rainforest is so captivating:
As we have discussed, the Amazon is home to many plant and animal species. Out of them, both are important. The plant species in the Amazon rainforest are diverse and beautiful. Here are the 15 most fascinating plant species that are found in it:
It is mostly known for its fruit. Their fruit is in the form of the cocoa pod. This fruit contains seeds that are used to produce chocolate. These seeds are used to make cocoa drinks. The cocoa tree is mainly found in regional and tropical areas of the continent.
The passion flower is one of the most beautiful plants in the rainforest. There are many different colors and varieties that passion flowers can be found in. Some occur as woody vines, and others are shrubs with colorful flowers from white through to bright red.
These have beautiful flowers that you can find in the rainforest. They’re usually delicate and have colorful flowers. There are many species of Orchids to see in the rainforest.
The monkey brush has flowers that are known to have a unique appearance. The flowers resemble small, bright red and yellow brushes. The plant grows as a vine either on its own or as a parasite on other plants. When they bloom, they take on a fantastic appearance due to their impressive flowers.
Lianas are climbing woody vines. They are a type of climbing woody vine that grows by attaching itself to trees and shrubs. Many plant families grow as lianas. Their woody vines are what support large trees in an expansive and intricate network.
These are an iconic species of plants in the rainforest. They are believed to have a strange and sinister history. Strangler figs start as small seeds, which are planted on a branch. Then they grow towards the ground in a seemingly delicate and gentle manner around the tree.
They are a canopy species and hold a special place among many tribal groups. These trees can grow very tall in height and reach 50 meters. Their long height is their unique feature, which makes them important to the tribals.
The mahogany tree is the most famous rainforest tree in the Amazon. The Brazilian mahogany fruit is known to mature in the rainy season. This fruit is very important to the locals here.
This plant is still used to color food using its natural red and yellow dyes. This dye is also used by many cultures to paint themselves and use it for its medicinal properties.
Heliconias are native plants of Central and South America. They have become naturalized in several other countries and are a popular ornamental plant.
It is the world’s largest lily and is a fantastic plant to find in the slow-moving tributaries of the Amazon River and oxbow lakes. The leaves measure 3 meters (10 ft) across and can even support the weight of a small child if the weight is evenly distributed.
The banana plants have been domesticated in many different regions. They are now grown by many Amazon communities. It is suited to the tropical environment. Many villages in the Amazon region grow plantains and bananas.
They look very similar to other rainforest trees at first glance. When you look closer, you will find small holes. Ants swarm the tree for protection if it is disturbed. The protectors are a species of fire ant that has a potent sting.
The Camu Camu plant has a beautiful and citrusy fruit. It is a small citrus fruit like a tart. This plant typically grows as a small shrub near rivers or lakes. Their fruit is used to flavor desserts, sauces, and is also a favorite juice in Amazon regions.
This plant is very fascinating and is found mostly in tropical forests. It has trees that can grow very tall. Some of these Amazon plants even reach over 30 meters. This tree is in the Fabaceae pea family of plants, which blooms with beautiful sets of light pink flowers.
These are only fifteen of the species of plants found in the Amazon. But there are thousands more just like them. They are different in looks, colors, and builds. These Amazon rainforest plants contribute to the vastness and are called the lungs of the Earth. They are also a big part of its culture and hold traditional importance among the tribes as well.
Paradise Yakari is a tour company providing information and tours to the Southern American continent.