What do you notice when you walk into the woods? How is it different from the meadow?

Is it cooler? Is it darker? Do you see the same types of plants?

Notice how the temperature drops when you enter the woods.

Notice how much shadier it is.

It gets cooler and darker as you enter the woods because the forest canopy blocks much of the sunlight.

Why do you think there are fewer cacti and grasses here?

Most of the plants that you saw on the Meadow need more sunlight than is available in this shady area.

Look up into the trees. The two types of plants you see hanging on the trees are called Spanish Moss and Ball Moss.

Examine the plants closely. Do they have roots? If they don't have roots how can they get the water they need to survive?

Spanish Moss and Ball Moss don't have roots like most plants do. They are called epiphytes and they get all the water and nutrients they need from the air.

Ball Moss

Why do you think they attach themselves to the trees?

These plants attach themselves to the trees so that they can receive more sunlight and be protected from predators on the ground.

Spanish Moss