Epiphytic flowering plants are most common where the growing season is rainy, e.g. in tropical and subtropical areas. However, the shown Tillandsia species on Idria columnaris exemplifies that epiphytes can also occur in deserts. It happens that plants such as Hedera helix (Ivy), Parthenocissus tricuspidata, (townhall wine) and Lonicera sp. (honeysuckle) are misinterpreted as epiphytes since they cling to or wind around trees, but contrary to epiphytes these plants are rooted in the soil and get their water and nutrients from the soil. Epiphytes get water and nutrients from rainwater running down branches, stems, and trunks. Raindrops always collect a little nutrient from the dust carried with the wind.