Flexi Says: Orchids are epiphytes and trees can be their host plant. The symbiotic relationship that occurs between an orchid and a tree would be classified as commensalism. This benefits the orchids because they can grow on top of the canopy, which prevents the orchids from being walked on or eaten by ground-dwelling organisms. Being in the canopy also allows the orchids to receive more sunlight for photosynthesis. However, the orchids receive nutrients from the air and compost on the trees. Thus, they do not harm the plants on which they grow by drawing nutrients from them.
