Small Rainforest Plants

Poisonous Plants

• Some rainforest plants may not be easily identified as poisonous as they are not always avoided by animals. For example, Alyxia ilicifolia, or large-leaved chain fruit, is commonly used by small birds as a nesting site. Birds are also attracted to its red-orange fruit and help spread the seed around the forest. These seeds are, however, poisonous to humans.

Ornamental Plants

• Some small rainforest plants are suitable for home gardens as they require moisture, little sunlight and look very attractive. For example, Alpinia caerulea, or blueberry ginger, is a popular ornamental plant for small gardens as it has broad, glossy green leaves and spiky white flowers that bloom around September. Between February and May, it bears an edible, dark blueberrylike fruit with many small seeds.

Medicinal Plants

• Medicinal plants are also found in rainforests. According to Raintree Nutrition, 121 prescription drugs currently on the market are derived from rainforest plants. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified approximately 3,000 plants with anticancer properties, and 70 percent of them are located in rainforests. For example, the anticancer compound vincristine was extracted from the periwinkle plant, which is found in rainforests.

Impact of Deforestation

• Deforestation is a major threat to small rainforest plants. Deforestation mainly occurs to clear space for ranching and for timber. This results in the loss of indigenous plant species and potential therapeutic treatments. Raintree Nutrition estimates that 1 1/2 acres of rainforest are depleted every second, and more than 50,000 plant and animal species are lost every year.