An orchid plant is growing on the branch of mango tree. How do you describe this interaction between the orchid and the mango tree?
Orchids are Epiphytes which means they grow on the surface of other plants which provide them the benefit of habitat. Orchids do not have strong stem supporting tissues. Orchid growing on mango tree gets the benefit of habitat and but do not draw any nutrition from mango tree. This interaction is called commensalism. Commensalism is the interaction wherein one species is benefitted and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted.Commensalism is the interaction wherein one species is benefitted and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted. Orchid growing on the mango tree gets the support in the form of habitat for growing but do not get any nutrition from the tree. This interaction is defined as Commensalism.
