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| Climbing plants have stems modified in various ways that help them reach high into the forest canopy, and above, in a quest for light. Since vines do not use their energy producing structurally strong stems like trees do, they are able to grow very rapidly, climbing through the shady understory up to the sunny canopy. Vines are a widespread phenomenon with species found in nearly every type of habitat and with representatives in many varied plant families. | |
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The climbing plants employ several different adaptations for reaching the canopy. Some climbers produce tendrils, either specialized stems or modified leaves, to help them climb upward. Tendrils, which resemble the coils of a spring, are extremely sensitive to touch.When the tendril comes in contact with a support structure, the tendril curls around the support firmly, making a strong but flexible attachment. Plants can also climb with the the aid of adventitious roots or aerial roots that arise along the stem. Hook climbers, such as roses, have thorns and spines that snag among the leaves and branches of the host plant. The Mandevilla X amabilis is a twining plant. The stem tips of twining plants achieve support by spirally wrapping their stems around the host. Then there are the ramblers or creepers, such as the Golden Trumpet Vine and Clerodendrum thomsoniae (photo upper left), which merely rest on the tops of other plants. |
 Allamanda cathartica-Golden Trumpet Vine  Mandevilla X amabilis Photos by: Andrew G. Seymour |
 Passiflora sp.- Passion Flower |
The Passion Flower, Passiflora caerulea, produces large showy violet-blue flowers. Named such by early missionaries who used the flowers in their teachings of Christs' crucifixion. The 10 petals and sepals were thought to symbolize the apostles at the crucifixion and the blue, white and purple rays of the corona resembled the crown of thorns. Christs' wounds were represented by the five anthers, while the three stigmas depicted the nails.The five lobed leaves were thought to portray the cruel hands of the prosecutors and the coiling tendrils were signs of the cords and whips used in torment. |