The most famous ecosystem on earth, tropical rainforests contain more than two-thirds of the world’s plant species. You won’t see them all on your vacation, but there are some of the most impressive.
Tropical Rainforest Climate
Top Tropical Rainforest Plants
While the animals — Javan tigers, tree sloths, and silver-backed gorillas — get more postcard inches than the plants, some of the most miraculous species that live in the world’s rainforests are the flora. From towering trees to delicate orchids, vibrant Heliconia (or lobster-claw flowers) and even carnivorous pitcher plants (which can digest small mammals and reptiles in addition to insects), the sheer density and diversity of rainforest plants is just as impressive as the megafauna.
You don’t have to travel far to see the fruits (literally) of tropical rainforests. The produce of these equatorial forests fill up grocery stores around the globe, from bananas and oranges to papayas and pineapple, as well as grapefruit, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, rice, peanuts, and — of course — chocolate.
