Keshu

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.

1. Shrubs

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

1. Ferns

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

1. Epiphytes

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

1. Lianas

• Woody vines; climb trees to reach sunlight.

1. Mosses & Liverworts

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

1. Palms

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

1. 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."

1. Store Carbon

• Trees absorb CO₂, which helps slow climate change.

1. Support Biodiversity

• Provide food and shelter for millions of species.

1. Regulate Rainfall

• Trees release water vapor, helping control regional weather.

1. Medicinal Uses

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

1. 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.

1. Climate Change

• Hotter, drier conditions stress or kill sensitive plants.

1. Fires

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

1. Pollution

• From mining and agriculture; poisons soil and water.

1. Invasive Species

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

1. Illegal Logging

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