Tree and Plant Life in the Jungle | David Attenborough | BBC Studios

Summary

In tropical forests, where it's perpetually summer and trees remain evergreen, plants compete fiercely for sunlight. Young climbers use tendrils to latch onto branches, coiling to pull themselves upward. Others ascend by twining their stems. Among these climbers, the Southeast Asian and Australian rainforest-dwelling rattan palms are exceptional, with one specimen reaching 560 feet. Unlike other plants, rattans develop leaves only in the canopy, where they bask in sunlight. Their climbing tendrils are thin yet strong, capable of hooking onto branches and supporting their heavy stems, showcasing their unique adaptation for survival in the competitive forest environment.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Tropical forests have a perpetually warm climate with trees remaining leafy all year round.
• 🌱 Plants in the understory of tropical forests must climb to reach sunlight, as it is blocked by the dense canopy.
• 🔗 Young plants use whip-like tendrils to latch onto and climb up supporting structures like branches.
• 🌳 Some plants ascend by twining their main stem around a support, using it as a ladder to reach higher for light.
• 🌳 As climbers approach the canopy and sunlight, they expand their leaves to maximize photosynthesis.
• 🏆 Rattan palms, found in Southeast Asia and tropical Australia, are among the most competitive climbers with some stems reaching over 560 feet.
• 🌴 Mature rattan palms develop leaves only in the canopy, not on the forest floor, to conserve energy and resources.
• 🌞 The canopy crown of a rattan palm is where it receives full sunlight, allowing for luxuriant growth.
• 🔗 Rattan palms use thin, rigid tendrils to climb, which are strong enough to support their heavy main stem.
• ⚠️ The tendrils of rattan palms are sharp and can cause injury if they come into contact with skin or clothing.

Q & A

What is the climate like in tropical forests?

In tropical forests, it's never winter, and the trees are in leaf throughout the year.

Why do some plants need to climb in tropical forests?

Some plants need to climb to get sunlight, as they are situated beneath a permanent canopy of taller trees.

How do young plants search for a way to climb towards sunlight?

Young plants search for a way to climb by lashing around with their whip-like tendrils.

What happens when a tendril of a young plant finds a grip?

When a tendril finds a grip, it puts a coil in the tendril, shortening it and pulling the plant closer to the branch it might climb.

How do some plants ascend by twining their main stem?

Some plants ascend by twining their main stem around their support, such as the branches of established trees.

What type of plants are known for their competitive nature in the scramble for light in tropical forests?

Rattan palms, which live in the forests of Southeast Asia and tropical Australia, are known for their competitive nature in the scramble for light.

What is the longest stem of any plant recorded, and where was it measured?

A mature ratan has been recorded to produce the longest stem of any plant, measured at 560 feet.

How does a mature ratan plant develop leaves?

A mature ratan develops leaves only in the canopy, not on its stem down on the forest floor.

What is the significance of the ratan's crown?

The crown of the ratan, which basks in the full sunlight 200 feet above the ground, is where the plant's luxuriant growth occurs and is indicative of its palm-like nature.

What is the function of the ratan's tendrils in its growth?

The ratan's tendrils are used for climbing, reaching up to hook onto branches of established trees, and holding the heavier main stem in position as it grows upwards.

Why are the ratan's tendrils described as 'fearsomely protected'?

The ratan's tendrils are described as 'fearsomely protected' because they are rigid enough to rip clothes and flesh if snagged, providing a strong mechanism for the plant's ascent.