METHODS OF CLIMBING n 



the tendril method of climbing have an advantage over 

 twiners, and this accounts for their being more numerous 

 in nature. 



Climbing plants have been divided into groups accord- 

 ing to their particular habit of clinging. Thus there are 

 (i) Twiners, which attach themselves to supports by twist- 

 ing spirally around them. Examples are the Honeysuckle, 

 Hop, and Scarlet Runner. The stoutest of tropical climbers 

 belong to this group. (2) Weavers. These have slender 

 stems which elongate and push their way among the 

 branches of other plants before developing leaves and 

 lateral shoots, by means of which they hold on. Some of 

 them have spines or prickles which also help them to 

 cling. Examples of this group are species of Rose, Honey- 

 suckle, Asparagus, and Jasminum. (3) Lattice Formers. 

 Plants which lean and build themselves up against a support 

 without actually clinging to it. Some of the Cotoneasters, 

 Euonymus, Allamanda, and some Fuchsias are examples 

 of plants with this habit. (4) Tendril Bearers. A tendril 

 may be a modification of a leaf, leaf stalk, leaflet, midrib, 

 stipule, branchlet or flower stalk. At first very delicate 

 and motile, it often becomes hard and strong almost as 

 steel. Tendrils loop themselves round a support as though 

 they possessed intelligence, and until they come in contact 

 with one, they move about in a manner suggestive of the 

 antennae of some insect. A great variety of plants are 

 tendril bearers. Some of the most familiar are the Vine, 

 Passion flower, Nepenthes, Gloriosa, Cucurbits, Pea and 

 Clematis. Ampelopsis and some of the species of Vitis and 

 Cissus form adhesive discs at the ends of their tendrils, by 

 means of which they fasten themselves firmly with a kind of 

 gum secreted by the disc, which hardens quickly. (5) Root- 



