Basic thing is, whether epiphyte or lithophyte, logically both are epiphyte because roots in both cases hang in air and they adsorb nutrition from air and rain. On the other hand terrestrials absorb water and nutrition from soil. Some orchids exclusively grow on rocks or soil but there are some epiphytic that may grow on soil and then there are terrestrials which can grow as epiphytes on trees or rocks. It all depends on the seeds. Once they are out of the fruit they can be blown by air to great distances and can fall anywhere. The toughest part for them is to germinate, for which they need fungal association. Once they have germinated, its rather easy way ahead, unless the climate changes drastically.
Hope this is understandable. Pankaj On Thursday, 11 October 2012 20:56:26 UTC+8, shrikant ingalhalikar wrote: > > Aerides maculosum an epiphytic orchid that is seen growing and flowering > on rocks on a plateau which is devoid of trees. The location suggestive of > the micro habitat/climate is close to Kumudini lake, a natural lake with > fabulous aquatic flora (here showing Nymphoides indicum). Regards, --
