Hyperepilithics—An overlooked life form of vascular plants on tropical vertical rock walls
Dayvid Rodrigues Couto, Stefan Porembski, Wilhelm Barthlott, Luiza F. A. de Paula
Abstract
Abstract Vascular epiphytes are a characteristic life form in many tropical regions and often occur growing on bare rocks. South America has the highest diversity. Here, we describe a neglected life form: hyperepilithics adapted and restricted to growing on vertical (inclination above 70°) and bare rock walls without having roots intruding the substrate. Hyperepilithics are in particular present on Brazilian inselbergs and dominated by highly specialized Bromeliaceae, mainly of the genera Stigmatodon , Tillandsia and Alcantarea , whereas Orchidaceae surprisingly has a low representation. An overview of this habitat, the life form hyperepilithics and a comparison with similar paleotropical habitats (mainly inselbergs in Western/Eastern Africa and India) are provided. Attention is drawn to hyperepilithics as a most promising and not yet exploited source for a sustainable urban ‘vertical gardening’, for example in tropical megacities.