What plants grow in the understory layer?

What plants grow in the understory layer?

The understory typically consists of trees stunted through lack of light, other small trees with low light requirements, saplings, shrubs, vines and undergrowth. Small trees such as holly and dogwood are understory specialists.

What is special about understory layer of the rainforest?

Rain forests are divided into layers or stories. The understory is the warm, damp, and sheltered layer below the leafy tree canopy. These plants provide food and shelter for small animals and birds, as well as larger predators that live in the trees. …

Why do few plants grow in the understory?

Answer: Since only two percent of the sunlight can filter through the top layers to the understory very few plants grow there. As a result, plants rely on insects and animals to pollinate their flowers. The layer above the understory is the canopy.

Why do plants in the understory have to rely on insects to pollinate them?

Many of the plants in the understory have large, broad leaves to collect as much sunlight as possible. The understory is so thick that there is very little air movement. As a result, plants rely on insects and animals to pollinate their flowers.

Why do animals live in the understory?

The understory does not get much sunlight. It is dark and humid here. The understory is home to smaller animals, insects, and snakes. Some larger animals use the understory layer for hunting.

How does pollen work in trees?

Pollination is the process of moving the pollen from the male components of a plant or flower to the female parts. This fertilizes the female reproductive cells so that a fruit or seeds will develop. Pollen is produced in flowers in the stamens and then must be transferred to the pistil, the female reproductive organ.

What does tree pollen pollinate?

Photo by Jerry A. Payne USDA Agricultural Research Service. Pollen is to trees what sperm is to animals. It carries the tree’s male genes; it is the male fertilizing unit of woody plant reproduction.

What kind of plants are in the understory layer?

Ginger and passionflowers are two types of small flowers in this layer. These flowers are usually bright so the insects can see them. There are also a lot of green leafy plants. This is also so the plant can be stick insects, bullet ants, beetles, and butterflies.

What does the understory layer of the rainforest do?

the Understory layer, conditions are just right for an abundance of insects, mosquitoes, and certain types of flora.The rainforest understory is very hot. and humid, and damp. The humidity keeps most of the animals in this layer alive.

Why do animals live in the understory layer?

the Understory layer, conditions are just right for an abundance of insects, mosquitoes, and certain types of flora.The rainforest understory is very hot and humid, and damp. The humidity keeps most of the animals in this layer alive. Animals like salamanders and frogs need to be in humid weather because their skin can not dry out.

Why are insects preyed on in the understory layer?

This is also so the plant can be stick insects, bullet ants, beetles, and butterflies. Many insects are preyed Understory layer. It provides protection from predators by helping them blend