Plants of the Rainforest

Science · Rainforests · ages 5-7

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Where do orchids often grow in the rainforest?
- On tree branches
- Under the ground
- In the desert
Mia names a kapok tree, a liana, and an orchid. How many plants did she name?
Answer: ______________
Rainforest plants grow tall to reach the sunlight.
Circle one: True False
Why do many rainforest plants grow very tall?
- To reach sunlight above other plants
- To hide from animals
- To stay cool in shade
Leo sees a huge tree with a thick trunk. What plant is this most likely to be?
- A kapok tree
- An orchid
- A liana vine
A liana climbs up other trees instead of standing alone.
Circle one: True False
A liana vine climbs a tree instead of growing a thick trunk. Why is this a smart move?
- It stops the kapok from growing
- It reaches high sunlight without building a strong trunk
- It hides from the kapok tree
Sam says rainforest plants stay short so they do not fall over. Kai says they grow tall to beat other plants to the sunlight. Who is right?
- Sam is right
- Both are wrong
- Kai is right

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

On tree branches · Orchids often grow up on branches, not down in the soil.
3 · She named three plants: kapok tree, liana, and orchid.
True · Plants race upward because sunlight is limited near the ground.
To reach sunlight above other plants · Growing tall helps a plant reach sunlight blocked by shorter plants.
A kapok tree · Kapok trees are the giant trees with thick trunks in rainforests.
True · Lianas use trees like ladders to climb toward the light.
It reaches high sunlight without building a strong trunk · Climbing another tree lets the liana reach light without building a strong trunk of its own.
Kai is right · Kai is right. Plants grow tall to win the race for sunlight.