Bengal Bamboo
Bengal bamboo is an extremely fast growing plant, this particular plant thrives in environments where there is a large amount of moisture and rainfall. The Bengal Bamboo has adapted to grow at an extremely quick rate, it is possible for these plants to reach 80 feet in just three months, the plant has adapted to the extreme hydration of the rainforest by developing vascular bundles that absorb water and wick it up the cane. This adaptation has allowed Bamboo to reach the canopy of the rainforest very quickly so as to absorb as much sunlight as possible, once in the canopy the plant starts to photosynthesize where it will flower once in it’s lifetime, produce it’s seeds and then die. The Bengal Bamboo is able to use it’s energy very efficiently and convert most of it to building new cells for growth
Coconut Tree
The coconut tree is a highly iconic tree in many tropical destinations of the world, it is known for the large coconut fruit that hangs from the top of the tree. Conconut palms have adapted to grow extremely quickly to receive the most sun possible, they are also very efficient at spreading seeds for species survival. The tree itself grows at a medium pace and after germinating it produces a bascal trunk that allows cocunut seeds to be produced in all kinds of light and heat conditions, making the tree extremely well adapted to many climates. The coconuts themselves are extremely effective as seeds, this is because the tough shell allows them to be transferred large distances and when the seeds require no dormancy or nutrients to germinate and grow, everything is provided inside of the coconut shell.
Curare Plant
The Curare are large vine like plants that grow usually in South American rainforests, different ranges of curare can be highly toxic poisons as well as highly effective medicines. Sunlight is extremely limited near the rainforest floor, therefore the Curare have had to adapt to grow in the canopy of the forest to receive the most sunlight possible. The Curare have also developed into different types of neuromuscular blockers and stimulants. Specifically, they can induce muscular paralyzation and block receptors of the body.
Kapok Tree
The Kapok tree is an extremely majestic plant, it can grow to a height in upwards of one hundred and fifty feet tall, the trunk of the tree can reach nine feet in diameter. The plant’s height allows it to reach the maximum of light at the canopy of the forest in order to photosynthesize. The roots of the tree are extremely massive in order to anchor the tree in the ground, the trunk of the tree is also highly hardened with external spines so that the trunk is very difficult for animals and other predators to harm.
Strangler Fig
Fig trees are known as keystone species in the rainforests, they are central to animals because of the fruit that they bear. Strangler fig trees, similar to Kapok trees are extremely tall in height, they can reach around 150 feet, where they thrive in the canopy of the rainforest. Strangler figs are adapted to germinate on the trunks of other trees, so that they do not have to compete with everything in the bottom layer. The seeds are extremely sticky and deposited by animal droppings high up on other trees in the rainforest. The trees grow slowly at first as their roots snake down the host tree’s trunk to get to the ground. Once the roots anchor themselves in the ground, the plant grows at an exponential rate to reach the canopy. When the tree has reached the canopy it’s leaves grow extremely thick to steal all of the host tree’s sunlight. Eventually the host dies from strangulation, insufficient sunlight and root competition. When this happens the strangler fig stands on it’s own with a hollow center.