Palm House

A tropical rain forest is recreated in this house. Precipitation in such a forest may total 160 inches yearly, as compared to 40 inches annually in Cincinnati. Tropical plants must quickly shed water from their leaves in order to prevent harmful growths of bacteria and fungi.

Look at the tree overhead and note that each of its leaves is covered with a water-repelling wax surface. A tropical leaf also typically lacks teeth along its edge, but instead has a smooth margin that allows water to flow unhindered to the tip of the leaf. Finally, the shape of the leaf tip forms the water into large drops that fall from the plant.