A vine is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas, or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselves, for instance, when used in wicker work.Jackson; Benjamin; Daydon (1928). ''A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent'', 4th ed. London: Gerald Duckworth & Co. In parts of the world, including the British Isles, the term "vine" usually applies exclusively to grapevines, while the term "climber" is used for all climbing plants.

Growth forms

Certain plants always grow as vines, while a few grow as vines only part of the time. For instance,

poison ivy Poison ivy is a type of allergenic plant in the genus '' Toxicodendron'' native to Asia and North America. Formerly considered a single species, '' Toxicodendron radicans'', poison ivies are now generally treated as a complex of three separate s ...

and bittersweet can grow as low shrubs when support is not available, but will become vines when support is available. A vine displays a growth form based on very long stems. This has two purposes. A vine may use rock exposures, other plants, or other supports for growth rather than investing energy in a lot of supportive tissue, enabling the plant to reach sunlight with a minimum investment of energy. This has been a highly successful growth form for plants such as kudzu and Japanese honeysuckle, both of which are invasive exotics in parts of North America. There are some tropical vines that develop skototropism, and grow away from the light, a type of negative phototropism. Growth away from light allows the vine to reach a tree trunk, which it can then climb to brighter regions. The vine growth form may also enable plants to colonize large areas quickly, even without climbing high. This is the case with periwinkle and ground ivy. It is also an adaptation to life in areas where small patches of fertile soil are adjacent to exposed areas with more sunlight but little or no soil. A vine can root in the soil but have most of its leaves in the brighter, exposed area, getting the best of both environments. The evolution of a climbing habit has been implicated as a key innovation associated with the evolutionary success and diversification of a number of taxonomic groups of plants. It has evolved independently in several plant families, using many different climbing methods, such as: * twining the stem around a support (e.g., morning glories, ''

Ipomoea ''Ipomoea'' () is the largest genus in the plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 600 species. It is a large and diverse group, with common names including morning glory, Ipomoea aquatica, water convolvulus or water spinach, sweet potato, ...

'' species) * by way of adventitious, clinging roots (e.g., ivy, '' Hedera'' species) * with twining petioles (e.g., '' Clematis'' species) * using

tendril In botany, a tendril is a specialized Plant stem, stem, leaf or Petiole (botany), petiole with a thread-like shape used by climbing plants for support and attachment, as well as cellular invasion by parasitic plants such as ''Cuscuta''. There ar ...

s, which can be specialized shoots (

Vitaceae The Vitaceae are a family of flowering plants, with 14 genera and around 910 known species, including common plants such as Vitis, grapevines (''Vitis'' spp.) and Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia creeper (''Parthenocissus quinquefolia''). Th ...

), leaves ( Bignoniaceae), or even inflorescences ('' Passiflora'') * using tendrils which also produce adhesive pads at the end that attach themselves quite strongly to the support (''

Parthenocissus ''Parthenocissus'' , is a genus of tendril vine, climbing plants in the grape family (biology), family, Vitaceae. It contains about 12 species native plant, native to the Himalaya, eastern Asia and North America. Several are grown for ornamental ...

'') * using thorns (e.g. climbing rose) or other hooked structures, such as hooked branches (e.g. '' Artabotrys hexapetalus'') The climbing fetterbush ('' Pieris phillyreifolia'') is a woody shrub-vine which climbs without clinging roots, tendrils, or thorns. It directs its stem into a crevice in the bark of fibrous barked trees (such as bald cypress) where the stem adopts a flattened profile and grows up the tree underneath the host tree's outer bark. The fetterbush then sends out branches that emerge near the top of the tree. Most vines are flowering plants. These may be divided into woody vines or lianas, such as akebia wisteria,

kiwifruit Kiwifruit (often shortened to kiwi), or Chinese gooseberry, is the edible berry (botany), berry of several species of woody vines in the genus ''Actinidia''. The most common cultivar group of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa, ...

, and common ivy, and herbaceous (nonwoody) vines, such as

morning glory Morning glory (also written as morning-glory) is the common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae, whose taxonomy and systematics remain in flux. These species are distributed across numerous genus, gene ...

. One odd group of vining plants is the fern genus ''Lygodium'', called climbing ferns. The stem does not climb, but rather the fronds (leaves) do. The fronds unroll from the tip, and theoretically never stop growing; they can form thickets as they unroll over other plants, rockfaces, and fences. Helix diagram-de

Twining vines

A twining vine, also known as a bine, is one that climbs by its shoots growing in a helix, in contrast to vines that climb using tendrils or suckers. Many bines have rough stems or downward-pointing bristles to aid their grip.

Hops Hops are the flowers (also called seed cones or strobiles) of the hop plant ''Humulus lupulus'', a member of the Cannabaceae family of flowering plants. They are used primarily as a bittering, flavouring, and stability agent in beer, to whic ...

(used in flavoring beer) are a commercially important example of a bine. The direction of rotation of the shoot tip during climbing is autonomous and does not (as sometimes imagined) derive from the shoot's following the sun around the sky – the direction of twist does not therefore depend upon which side of the equator the plant is growing on. This is shown by the fact that some bines always twine clockwise, including runner bean ('' Phaseolus coccineus'') and bindweed ('' Convolvulus'' species), while others twine anticlockwise, including black bryony ('' Dioscorea communis'') and climbing honeysuckles ('' Lonicera'' species). The contrasting rotations of bindweed and honeysuckle was the theme of the satirical song "Misalliance", written and sung by Michael Flanders and Donald Swann (but the lyrics confuse the direction of twining, describing honeysuckle as right-handed and bindweed as left-handed).

Horticultural climbing plants

The term "vine" also applies to

Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae (), also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family (biology), family consisting of about 965 species in 101 genera.

like cucumbers where botanists refer to creeping vines; in commercial agriculture the natural tendency of coiling tendrils to attach themselves to pre-existing structures or espaliers is optimized by the installation of trellis netting. Gardeners can use the tendency of climbing plants to grow quickly. If a plant display is wanted quickly, a climber can achieve this. Climbers can be trained over walls, pergolas, fences, etc. Climbers can be grown over other plants to provide additional attraction. Artificial support can also be provided. Some climbers climb by themselves; others need work, such as tying them in and training them.

Scientific description

Vines widely differ in size, form and evolutionary origin. Darwin classified climbing groups based on their climbing method. He classified five classes of vines – twining plants, leaf climbers, tendril bearers, root climbers and hook climbers. Vines are remarkable in that they have multiple evolutionary origins. They usually reside in tropical locations and have the unique ability to climb. Vines are able to grow in both deep shade and full sun due to their uniquely wide range of phenotypic plasticity. This climbing action prevents shading by neighbors and allows the vine to grow out of reach of herbivores. The environment where a vine can grow successfully is determined by the climbing mechanism of a vine and how far it can spread across supports. There are many theories supporting the idea that photosynthetic responses are closely related to climbing mechanisms. Temperate twining vines, which twist tightly around supports, are typically poorly adapted for climbing beneath closed canopies due to their smaller support diameter and shade intolerance. In contrast, tendril vines usually grow on the forest floor and onto trees until they reach the surface of the canopy, suggesting that they have greater physiological plasticity. It has also been suggested that twining vines' revolving growth is mediated by changes in turgor pressure mediated by volume changes in the epidermal cells of the bending zone. Climbing vines can take on many unique characteristics in response to changes in their environments. Climbing vines can induce chemical defenses and modify their biomass allocation in response to herbivores. In particular, the twisting vine '' Convolvulus arvensis'' increases its twining in response to herbivore-associated leaf damage, which may lead to reduced future herbivory. Additionally, the tendrils of

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

vine ''Cayratia japonica'' are more likely to coil around nearby plants of another species than nearby plants of the same species in natural and experimental settings. This ability, which has only been previously documented in roots, demonstrates the vine's ability to distinguish whether another plant is of the same species as itself or a different one. In tendrilled vines, the tendrils are highly sensitive to touch and the coiling action is mediated by the hormones octadecanoids, jasmonates and indole-3-acetic acid. The touch stimulus and hormones may interact via volatile compounds or internal oscillation patterns. Research has found the presence of ion translocating ATPases in the ''Bryonia dioica'' species of plants, which has implications for a possible ion mediation tendril curling mechanism. In response to a touch stimulus, vanadate-sensitive K⁺, Mg²⁺ ATPase and Ca²⁺-translocating ATPases rapidly increase their activity. This increases transmembrane ion fluxes that appear to be involved in the early stages of tendril coiling.

Example vine taxa

* '' Actinidia,'' a genus in the

Actinidiaceae The Actinidiaceae are a small family (biology), family of flowering plants. The family has three genus, genera and about 360 species and is a member of the order Ericales. Distribution They are temperate and subtropical woody plant, woody vines, ...

family that includes edible fruiting vines, ''Actinidia chinensis'' var. ''deliciosa'' (

vine), and '' A. arguta'' (hardy kiwifruit or kiwiberry vine), and cultivated ornamental vines ''A.kolomikta'', and '' A. polygama'' (silver vine) * '' Adlumia fungosa'', the Allegheny vine * '' Akebia'', a genus of about 5 vines in the Lardizabalaceae family, including '' Akebia quinata'', and '' A. trioliata'' (chocolate vines) * '' Allamanda,'' a genus in the

Apocynaceae Apocynaceae (, from '' Apocynum'', Greek for "dog-away") is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents, and vines, commonly known as the dogbane family, because some taxa were used as dog poison. Notable mem ...

family including the cultivated ornamental vines '' Allamanda cathartica (''common or golden trumpet vine) and '' A. blanchetii'' * '' Ampelocissus'', a large genus in the

family native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide * '' Ampelopsis'', a genus of vines in the

family native to Asia and North America known as porcelain berry or pepper vines, including the cultivated ornamental vines ''Ampelopsis glandulosa'' * '' Anredera cordifolia'', Madeira-vine * '' Antigonon'', the coral vine * '' Antigonon leptopus'', the Confederate vine * '' Aptenia cordifolia'', the heart-leaved aptenia * '' Araujia sericifera'', moth vine * '' Asparagus asparagoides'', bridal creeper, bridal-veil creeper * '' Banisteriopsis caapi'', ayahuasca, also known as caapi, yage, and soul vine * '' Berchemia scandens'', the rattan vine * '' Bignonia'', the cross vine * '' Bougainvillea'', a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees * '' Callerya megasperma'', native wisteria * '' Calystegia sepium'', hedge bindweed * '' Campsis'', the trumpet vine ** '' Campsis grandiflora'', the Chinese trumpet vine * '' Cardiospermum halicacabum'', the balloon vine * '' Celastrus'', the staff vine * '' Ceropegia woodii'', string of hearts * '' Clematis vitalba'', traveller's joy * '' Clerodendrum thomsoniae'', bleeding-heart vine * '' Clitoria ternatea'', butterfly pea * '' Ceropegia linearis'', the rosary vine or sweetheart vine * '' Cissus antarctica'', the kangaroo vine * '' Cissus hypoglauca'', the water vine * ''Citrullus lanatus'' var. ''lanatus'''','' the watermelon * '' Cobaea scandens'', cup-and-saucer vine, cathedral bells, Mexican ivy * Cochliasanthus, known as corkscrew vine, snail vine, snail creeper * '' Cucumis sativus'', the cucumber * '' Cyphostemma juttae'', known as wild grape * '' Delairea odorata'', German ivy * '' Dolichandra unguis-cati'', cat's claw creeper, funnel creeper, or cat's claw trumpet * '' Epipremnum aureum'', known as golden pothos and devil's ivy * '' Fallopia baldschuanica'', the Russian vine * '' Ficus pumila'', known as the climbing fig * '' Hardenbergia violacea'', lilac vine * '' Hedera helix'', known as common ivy, English ivy, European ivy, or ivy * '' Hibbertia scandens'', climbing guinea flower, golden guinea vine, gold guinea plant * '' Hoya'', a genus of about 300 species of climbing or creeping plants * '' Humulus lupulus'', common hop * '' Hydrangea petiolaris'', climbing hydrangea * ''

,'' a genus of over 600 mostly climbing species and largest genus in the Convolvulaceae family. '' Ipomoea batatas'' (sweet potato) is widely cultivated for its edible, starchy roots. The sap of '' I. alba'' (moon vine) sap was used for vulcanization of the

latex Latex is an emulsion (stable dispersion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latices are found in nature, but synthetic latices are common as well. In nature, latex is found as a wikt:milky, milky fluid, which is present in 10% of all floweri ...

of '' Castilla elastica'' (Panama rubber tree). Many species are cultivated as ornamentals vines including '' I. cairica'' (coast morning glory), '' I. indica'' (blue morning glory), '' I. purpurea'' (purple morning glory), '' I. lobata'' (fire vine, Spanish flag vine), and '' I. tricolor'' * '' Jasminum polyanthum'', pink jasmine * '' Kadsura japonica'', kadsura vine * '' Kennedia coccinea'', the common coral vine * '' Kennedia nigricans, black coral pea * '' Lagenaria siceraria'', known as the bottle gourd, calabash, opo squash, or long melon * '' Lathyrus odoratus'', the sweet pea * ''

Lonicera japonica ''Lonicera japonica'', known as Japanese honeysuckle and golden-and-silver honeysuckle, is a species of honeysuckle native to East Asia, including many parts of China. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has become an invasive species i ...

'', known as Suikazura or Japanese honeysuckle * '' Luffa'', a genus of tropical and subtropical vines classified in the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae * '' Lygodium'', a genus of about 40 species of ferns, known as climbing ferns * '' Mandevilla'', rocktrumpet, Brazilian jasmine * '' Momordica charantia'', the bitter gourd * ''

Mikania scandens ''Mikania scandens'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Its common names include climbing hempvine, climbing hempweed, and louse-plaster. It is native to the eastern and central United States, with its distribution extendin ...

'', the hemp vine * '' Muehlenbeckia adpressa'', the macquarie vine * '' Nepenthes'', a genus of carnivorous plants known as tropical pitcher plants or monkey cups * '' Pandorea jasminoides'', bower vine * '' Pandorea pandorana'', the wonga wonga vine * ''

'' is a genus of deciduous vines in the

family, native to Asia and North America. Several species are cultivated as ornamental vines, including '' P. henryana'', (Chinese Virginia-creeper), '' P. quinquefolia (''Virginia creeper), and '' P. tricuspidata'' (Boston ivy, Japanese ivy) * '' Passiflora'' is a large genus of about 550 species in the Passifloraceae, with the vast majority being tendril-bearing vines. Some species are cultivated for their edible fruit ( passion fruit) with '' Passiflora edulis'' (maracujá) the most important species commercially, but other edible species include '' P. ligularis'' and '' P. quadrangularis'' (granadilla), '' P. tripartita'' and '' P. tarminiana''. Many species and hybrids are also grown as ornamentals for their flowers. * '' Periploca graeca'', the silk vine * '' Philodendron hederaceum'', heartleaf philodendron * '' Piper betle''. betel vine * '' Podranea ricasoliana'', the pink trumpet vine * '' Pueraria lobata'', the kudzu vine * '' Pyrostegia venusta'', flamevine or orange trumpet vine * '' Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides'', Mexican flamevine * '' Rosa banksiae'', Lady Banks' rose * '' Rosa filipes'', climbing rose * Schizophragma, hydrangea vine * '' Scindapsus pictus'', the silver vine * '' Sechium edule'', known as chayote, christophene, or several other names * '' Senecio angulatus'', known as Cape ivy * '' Solandra'', a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family * '' Solanum laxum'', the potato vine * '' Stephania japonica'', snake vine * '' Stephanotis floribunda'', known as Madagascar jasmine * '' Strongylodon macrobotrys'', the jade vine * '' Syngonium'', the goosefoot vine ** '' Syngonium podophyllum'', the arrowhead vine * '' Thunbergia alata'', black-eyed Susan * '' Thunbergia grandiflora'', known as the Bengal clock vine or blue trumpet vine * '' Thunbergia erecta'', the bush clock vine * ''

Toxicodendron radicans ''Toxicodendron radicans'', commonly known as eastern poison ivy or poison ivy, is a species of allergenic flowering plant. It has numerous subtaxons and forms both vines and shrubs. Despite its common name, it is not a true ivy, but rather a m ...

'', known as poison ivy * '' Trachelospermum asiaticum'', Asiatic jasmine * '' Trachelospermum jasminoides'', Confederate jasmine, star jasmine * ''

Vitis ''Vitis'' (grapevine) is a genus of 81 accepted species of vining plants in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The genus consists of species predominantly from the Northern Hemisphere. It is economically important as the source of grapes, bot ...

'', any of about sixty species of grape * '' Wisteria'', a genus of flowering plants in the pea family * '' Xerosicyos'', silver dollar vine

References

External links

* * * {{Authority control Plant morphology Plants by habit Plant life-forms