Lithophyte

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Pinguicula gypsicola , a carnivorous plant that grows on gypsum rock

Under lithophytes ( Greek λίθος lithos "stone", φυθόν Phyton "plant") refers to plants that are on or in rock grow. Under certain circumstances, roots can penetrate the rock by loosening it. The minerals required for their growth are obtained from lithophytic plants from a moss underlay, the atmosphere (rainwater, dust) or their own dead tissue.

The lithophytes include, for example, various representatives of the orchid genera Paphiopedilum or Dendrobium , some carnivorous plants such as Nepenthes campanulata or Pinguicula gypsicola and some species of the bromeliad genus Tillandsia . In addition, numerous ferns are lithophytes.

See also: lithobiont

literature

  • Heinrich Walter: The vegetation of the earth , Volume I, 3rd edition, G. Fischer, Stuttgart 1973, ISBN 3-437-30181-0