Hemiepiphytes

Hemiepiphytes are plants whose life cycle includes an epiphytic phase, growing on another plant or object in the forest canopy but not relying entirely on soil for water and nutrients. They differ from true epiphytes that remain rooted in their aerial position throughout life and from terrestrial plants that spend their whole life on the ground. Hemiepiphytes obtain access to light in the canopy while still using the host plant for support, moisture, and debris-filled nutrient catchment.

There are two commonly recognized categories. Primary, or true, hemiepiphytes begin life on a host plant—often a tree branch or trunk—and gradually develop roots that reach the soil; these roots may thickly anchor the plant to the ground or nearby roots, sometimes enveloping the host as they grow. Strangler figs are a well-known example in tropical forests. Secondary hemiepiphytes start life on the forest floor, climb into the canopy, and then adopt an epiphytic lifestyle, continuing to rely on episodic water and nutrient inputs from rain and adapted root systems.

Morphology and ecology vary among lineages, but many hemiepiphytes possess adventitious or aerial roots that absorb moisture from the air and litter, and they exhibit climbing or sprawling growth forms. Ecologically, they contribute to vertical complexity and can influence host tree growth, nutrient cycling, and forest dynamics. Hemiepiphytes are most common in tropical and subtropical forests, where humid conditions support prolonged epiphytic stages, though occasional temperate examples occur. The concept and classification can vary across regions and plant groups.