A vine is any plant with trailing or scandent (climbing) stems, lianas, or runners. When used in wicker craft, the term vine can also refer to the stems or runners themselves.
In some parts of the world, particularly the British Isles, the term “vine” refers solely to grapevines (Vitis), whereas the phrase “climber” refers to all climbing plants.
Vine plant: Forms of growth
A vine has a growth form that is based on very long stems. This serves two functions. Instead of investing energy in a lot of supporting tissue, a vine may exploit rock exposures, other plants, or other supports for development, allowing the plant to access sunlight with a minimal input of energy.
Invasive exotic plants like kudzu and Japanese honeysuckle, which are both found in parts of North America, have thrived in this environment. Some tropical vines acquire skototropism, or negative phototropism, and grow away from the light. The vine grows away from the light until it reaches a tree trunk, which it may then climb to get to brighter areas.
The vine growth form may also allow plants to colonise huge regions quickly, even if they are not able to climb high. Periwinkle and ground ivy are examples of this. It’s also a way of adjusting to living in areas with sparse or no soil yet close to exposed areas with more sunlight and small patches of fertile soil.
A vine can take root in the ground while growing most of its leaves in a brighter, more exposed location, giving it the best of both worlds.
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see also about the How to grow and care for Oxalis Triangularis.
Vine tangles
A twining vine, also known as a bine, climbs by its shoots growing in a helix, as opposed to vines that use tendrils or suckers. Many bines feature bristles that tip downward to improve grip. A bine is something that is useful commercially, like hops, which are used to flavour beer.
The direction of the shoot tip’s rotation during climbing is independent of the side of the equator the plant is growing on and does not (as is frequently claimed) result from the shoot following the sun around the sky.
This is demonstrated by the fact that some bines, such as runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) and bindweed (Convolvulus species), always twine clockwise, whilst others, such as French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and climbing honeysuckles, twine anticlockwise (Lonicera species). The contrasting rotations of bindweed and honeysuckle were the basis of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann’s satirical song “Misalliance.”
See also: Cypress Vine: Easy to grow home plant
Vine plant: Climbing plants for horticulture
In industrial agriculture, the installation of trellis netting improves the natural tendency of coiling tendrils to attach themselves to pre-existing structures or espaliers. When botanists refer to creeping vines, the name “vine” also refers to Cucurbitaceae, such as cucumbers.
Gardeners can take advantage of climbing plants’ proclivity to develop swiftly. A climber can quickly create a plant display if one is desired. Climbers can be trained to climb over walls, pergolas, fences, and other structures. Climbers can be grown on top of other plants to provide interest. Artificial assistance can also be supplied. Some climbers can do it on their own; others require assistance, such as tying them in and instructing them.
Learn about: ice plant
Vine plant: Scientific explanation
The size, shape, and evolutionary origin of vines vary widely. Darwin categorised different climbing groups based on their methods of ascent. He categorised vines into five groups: twining plants, tendril bearers, root climbers, hook climbers, and leaf climbers.
Since they have a variety of evolutionary origins, vines are notable. They can climb and primarily inhabit tropical regions. The tremendous phenotypic flexibility of vines allows them to thrive in both broad sun and deep darkness. The vine grows farther away from herbivorous animals thanks to this ascending motion, which prevents it from being shaded by nearby trees. The environment in which a vine can grow successfully is influenced by its climbing ability and the distance it can span across supports.
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Known about: Trellis: Benefits of growing plants on a trellis
Vine plant: Types
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- Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea): When we talk about climbers, the first plant genus that springs to mind is the bougainvillea. It is a low-maintenance vine that is easily identified by its extravagant clusters of brightly coloured, flower-like bracts (specialised leaves). Inside are the genuine, small white flowers.
One becomes aware of its heavily thorny branches upon closer inspection. Bracts on a healthy bougainvillaea can be magenta, pink, red, orange, yellow, or white, and they add a lovely pop of colour. B. glabra, sometimes referred to as the paper flower, is one of the bougainvillaea varieties that is very common in India.
- Light: At least 6-8 hrs of sunlight a day
- Water: Deep watering about once every three to four weeks
- Mature Size: The plant can grow upto 40 feet tall and 40 feet wide
- Toxicity: Sap of the bougainvillea plant is only mildly toxic
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- Blue morning glory (Ipomoea indica): This evergreen vine, also known as blue dawn flower or koali awa, has stunning blue-purple trumpet-shaped flowers, velvety dark-green heart-shaped leaves, and a slender twining stem. Every day in the late spring, summer, and fall, it sprouts delicate new blossoms.
- Light: 6-8 hrs of sunlight a day
- Water: Water regularly
- Mature Size: The plant can grow up to 2 – 3 m tall
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
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- Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum): In India, devil’s ivy is often referred to as the money plant or golden pothos. The most distinguishing features of this evergreen climber vine are its heart-shaped leaves with yellow or white speckles. It is a quick-growing, low-maintenance plant.
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the soil is dry
- Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 40 ft. long
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
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- Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides): Although an evergreen climber, the fragrant star jasmine or confederate jasmine is not a real jasmine. It has white blooms on woody branches and glossy green foliage. The five-petaled flowers have a prolific blooming season in the late spring and summer.
- Light: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Water once a week
- Mature Size: The plant can grow upto 3-6 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide
- Toxicity: Non-toxic
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- Bengal clock vine (Thunbergia grandiflora): The Bengal clock vine grows perennially and produces gorgeous blue trumpet-shaped blossoms that are borne in long clusters. The strange name of this native Indian plant, Bengal trumpet, also refers to its rope-like stems that twine solely in the direction of the clock.
- Light: Full sun, partial shade
- Water: Water deeply every 10 to 14 days
- Mature Size: The plant can grow up to 20 m tall
- Toxicity: Non-toxic
FAQs
In how many ways is climbing behaviour classified in vine plants?
Twining vines Tendril vines Aerial rootlets Suckers
What exactly is a climbing plant?
A climbing plant is one that grows up trees and other tall structures. Many climber plants are vines with stems that wrap over trees and branches, but there are others.
