Leaves capture water: bromeliads

1 of 2 Bromeliad trapping water / Veronica Art.. / License

The leaves of some bromeliads capture water and nutrients in a storage tank via hydrophobic leaf surfaces and hydrophilic hairs.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Water capture applications to apply to buildings, outdoor structures

[Collapse all sections] Summary

"So successful are these techniques for sending seeds up into the canopy that the massive branches of many forest trees are often densely lined with squatters. These are known as epiphytes and among the commonest are bromeliads. They anchor themselves by wrapping their roots around the branch. Their long leaves grow in a tight rosette around their central bud and channel rain water down to it so that the rosette fills and forms a small pond." (Attenborough 1995:166)

"Hydrophobic leaf surfaces of Bromeliaceae possess a highly irregular microrelief, thereby reducing the adhesion and spread of water on the leaf blade. Hydrophobic trichome layers occur on the abaxial leaf blade surfaces of many mesic Type 1 pitcairnioids and, as these species exhibit the putative primitive ecological condition, water repellency appears to have been an important condition in early Bromeliaceae. The trichomes of Type 4 species are specialized for the alternative function of water and nutrient absorption from a water-filled tank, with epicuticular wax powders employed by some species to shed water from the leaf blades. Hydrophobic trichome layers and wax powders could potentially obstruct pathogens and particulates, aid in self-cleaning, and/or maintain gas exchange during wet weather." (Pierce et al. 2001:1388)

About the inspiring organism

Bromeliaceae
Bromeliaceae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Water capture applications to apply to buildings, outdoor structures.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Building, water infrastructure

Experts

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Klaus Winter
Smithsonian Institution

Plant Physiological Ecology Group
Howard Griffiths
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

References

Pierce, S.; Maxwell, K.; Griffiths, H.; Winter, K. 2001. Hydrophobic trichome layers and epicuticular wax powders in Bromeliaceae. American Journal of Botany. 88(8): 1371-1389.

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

Leaves capture water: bromeliads

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