Today we are going to talk about some interesting plants that are only found in dense rain forests. Now, many think that these types of forests are found in subtropical areas, but really these are only found in the tropics. The plants we will be discussing only exist in the tropics and specifically in the rain forests because they provide the ideal habitats for these plants. These plants need a soil that is enriched with nutrients as well as a warm and humid climate. Only in the tropical rain forests can these conditions be found. Because of these conditions, there is a diverse variety of flora and some of these exhibit uniquely different characteristics from other plants. Let's begin by discussing about Lianas. Lianas are thick woody vines that drape rainforest trees. They begin life on the forest floor, but make their way up to the canopy as they climb upwards and wind themselves around the trunks of trees seeking the sunlight. Upon reaching the top of the canopy, they often spread to other trees and / or wrap themselves around other lianas. Now, the reason why they spread out like this is to ensure maximum exposure to sunlight. Furthermore, they benefit the trees they wrap themselves around. Many of these trees are shal- low rooted and the fact that lianas wrap themselves around these trees provides support against strong winds for these trees.