The vines of tropical plants can reach impressive lengths thanks to their ability to use other plants as support to climb towards the light. This process allows them to access more light and therefore grow faster and over greater distances.
In tropical environments, the resources available abundantly, particularly water, constant warmth, and intense light, significantly boost plant growth, and vines, in particular, take full advantage of this. They primarily invest resources in their length rather than their thickness, rapidly gaining ground to climb towards the sky in search of even more light. On top of that, competition at ground level is fierce: one must move quickly to reach the canopy before others take up all the space. Essentially, these ideal conditions accelerate their growth and allow them, over time, to achieve truly impressive lengths.
Some tropical vines use tendrils — spiral filaments capable of securely wrapping around a support. Others have sticky aerial roots that literally adhere to trunks, branches, or rocks like natural glue. Some species even produce small hooked spines, like a plant grappling hook, that easily latch onto any available neighbor. Once attached, these vines use their supports to quickly climb towards the light, without wasting energy shaping a rigid trunk. Energy savings and maximum efficiency.
Vines have flexible stems that are super practical because they can easily twist and climb on any support. Often, they have very lightweight yet strong wood, which is easy to produce, allowing them to grow quickly without wasting energy creating a heavy trunk. Some are equipped with tendrils or natural hooks that are incredibly clever for securely attaching themselves to neighboring trees without the risk of falling. Their internal vessels are particularly wide: ideal for transporting a lot of water very high with minimal effort. Finally, vines often maintain a very thin thickness, which is useful for reaching light without wasting too much energy on unnecessary structures.
Vines thrive particularly well in a warm and humid climate, typical of tropical regions. The more humid it is, the easier the growth, as plants can quickly absorb the water needed for their development. Light, on the other hand, directly affects their length, pushing them to climb high to benefit from sunlight at the tops of trees. And that's not all: consistently high temperatures promote a rapid metabolism, allowing vines to spread quickly and broadly. Fertile soil gives a boost by providing the essential nutrients they need to maintain this continuous growth.
Lianas, with their impressive length, play a strategic role by creating true vegetal bridges that connect trees to each other. Thanks to these aerial passages, many arboreal animals such as monkeys, squirrels, insects, or frogs can move easily from one place to another without descending to the ground, thus escaping predators. In addition, these long lianas provide physical support to other plants, stabilizing the whole and indirectly protecting the rainforest from certain climatic hazards. They also contribute significantly to creating a dense plant layer that is highly valued by birds for nesting, food, and shelter. In other words, without these endless lianas, the forest would lose much of its vital dynamics and biodiversity.
Some vines use a spectacular mode of attachment known as thigmotropism: they sense nearby supports through contact and modify their growth by twisting around them to secure themselves firmly.
Vines are capable of efficiently transporting water over dozens of meters. Their vascular tissue is specially adapted to ensure the circulation of nutrients from the roots to the highest canopies.
Some species of vines, such as the famous water vine (Entada gigas), produce some of the largest seeds in the plant kingdom, which can reach several centimeters in diameter and float for thousands of kilometers across the oceans.
The exceptional strength of the stems of certain vines is such that they are sometimes used by local populations to make ropes, baskets, or even to build temporary shelters in some indigenous communities.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, vines are very useful to local populations who use them in various ways: to make strong ropes, build shelters or baskets, produce traditional remedies, or even source water from certain species that store it inside."
Vines generally adopt a flexible and supple structure rather than a rigid trunk in order to easily reach light by using other plants as supports. This adaptation allows them to conserve the energy typically invested in growing a sturdy and resistant stem, and to allocate those resources to their rapid growth and horizontal and vertical expansion.
There are vines capable of reaching impressive lengths of over 200 meters. Among the notable species are some from the genus Entada, which can extend for hundreds of meters across the tropical canopy.
Vines can sometimes have a negative impact on trees, particularly through competition for light, nutrients, and water. An excessive abundance of vines on a tree can weaken its growth, slow its development, and increase its risk of falling or breaking during storms.
Some species of vines can indeed survive in non-tropical climates, provided they have a sufficient balance of light, warmth, and humidity. However, their growth remains limited compared to tropical conditions, where they thrive fully.
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