| a tropical high-altitude forest at 3000 to 8000 feet (1000 to 2500 m) above sea level, almost constantly covered by cloud. |
| cloud forest n. A tropical forest, often near peaks of coastal mountains, that usually has constant cloud cover throughout the year. |
| cloud forest
A tropical forest, often near peaks of coastal mountains, that usually has constant cloud cover throughout the year. |
cloud forest
vegetation of tropical mountainous regions in which the rainfall is often heavy and persistent condensation occurs because of cooling of moisture-laden air currents deflected upward by the mountains. The trees in a cloud forest are typically short and crooked. Mosses, climbing ferns, lichens, and epiphytes (air plants, such as orchids) form thick blankets on the trunks and branches of the trees. Begonias, ferns, and many other herbaceous plants may grow to exceptionally large size in clearings. A forest of extremely stunted, moss-covered trees that occurs in tropical or temperate mountainous regions is sometimes known as an elfin woodland.
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