Types of Plants in the Amazon Rainforest:

1. Trees

   • Brazil nut tree, rubber tree, kapok tree, mahogany

   • Towering giants of the forest; create the canopy.

2. Shrubs

   • Understory layer plants with broad leaves; live under taller trees.

3. Ferns

   • Thrive in shade and moisture; spread spores, not seeds.

4. Epiphytes

   • Orchids, bromeliads — grow on trees, not in soil; absorb moisture from air.

5. Lianas

   • Woody vines; climb trees to reach sunlight.

6. Mosses & Liverworts

   • Grow on bark, rocks, and wet ground; important for moisture retention.

7. Palms

   • Acai palm, moriche palm; provide food and materials.

8. Grasses & Sedges

   • In open spots, riverbanks, or areas with more light.

What These Plants Help With:

1. Produce Oxygen

   • Through photosynthesis — Amazon is called the "lungs of the Earth."

2. Store Carbon

   • Trees absorb CO₂, which helps slow climate change.

3. Support Biodiversity

   • Provide food and shelter for millions of species.

4. Regulate Rainfall

   • Trees release water vapor, helping control regional weather.

5. Medicinal Uses

   • Many Amazon plants are used in modern medicine (like cancer, malaria, or pain relief).

6. Soil Protection

   • Roots hold soil together and stop erosion.

Problems These Plants Face:

1. Deforestation

   • Trees are cut down for farming, cattle, and mining — destroying ecosystems.

2. Climate Change

   • Hotter, drier conditions stress or kill sensitive plants.

3. Fires

   • Often man-made; wipe out entire layers of vegetation.

4. Pollution

   • From mining and agriculture; poisons soil and water.

5. Invasive Species

   • Non-native plants or pests mess up the balance.

6. Illegal Logging

   • Rare trees (like mahogany) are targeted and overharvested.