Pseudobulb Water Storage and Leaf Morphology: Key Adaptations of Wayanad's Epiphytic Orchids to Summer Drought

Abstract

The Western Ghats of India, a UNESCO-recognized global biodiversity hotspot, harbor an extraordinary diversity Of orchid species, many Of which exhibit specialized adaptations to survive the region's pronounced dry seasons. Among these, epiphytic orchids-plants that grow upon Other trees Without rooting in soil-are particularly vulnerable to water scarcity due to their exposure to variable canopy microclimates.