Epiphytic orchids, growing anchored to the trees at National Orchid Garden, Singapore

An epiphyte is a plant that grows harmlessly upon another plant (such as a tree) and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and sometimes from debris accumulating around it. Epiphytes, that may be found in every major group of the plant kingdom, differ from parasites in that epiphytes grow on other plants for physical support and do not necessarily negatively affect the host.

The term epiphytic derives from the Greek epi- (meaning 'upon') and phyton (meaning 'plant'). Epiphytic plants are sometimes called "air plants" because they do not root in soil.

Photo: National Orchid Garden, Singapore