:HAr. ir 



GUILDS 



195 



^=^=™ 



The group of branch-climbers ', like that of leaf-climbers, represents 

 ihylogcnctically a low degree of liane. The climbing branches in the 

 ;ast adapted cases differ from ordinary branches by their irritability 

 nly, and arc provided with lateral shoots and leaves (Figs. 103, 104). 

 5ranch-climbcrs arc confined to 

 he tropics and the adjoining re- /O 



ions. Examples occur among 1 



be Polygalaceae, Papilionaceae, (q^^\ \ 

 limosaccae, Connaraceae, and ^y 



thcr families. ■ 



The two following groups 

 re also tropical and their re- 

 resentativcs are not generally 

 nown. 



The climbing organs oiltook- 

 'imbcrs - are metamorphosed 

 lorns or flower-stalks, which, 

 fter embracing the support, 

 ecome considerably thickened, 

 xamples are found in many 

 .nonaceae, Loganiaceae, Di- 

 terocarpaceae, Rubiaceae, and 

 se where (Fig. 105). 



The watch-spring climbers'-'' 

 we thin, spirally coiled, bare 

 imbing organs, which, owing 

 the stimulus of contact, 

 icome thicker and harder, 

 hey are found in several 



hamnaceae and Sapindaceae 



"igs. 106, 107). 



The most comprehensive 



cup of plants endowed with 



:ial climbing organs is that of 



m-icndril climber s,W\<tz\\m\i- 



gorgans of whichoften closely 



;ree in their external features, 

 well as in physiological characters, with leaf-tendril climbers; but their 



:ial nature is often betrayed externally not only by their position but also 



' the presence of rudimentary leaves, as in the vine. The group includes 



:iny species, for example in the families of the Vitaceae and Passifloraceae. 



^ This and the following groups were first separated and described by Fritz Muller. 

 ■ Investigated by Treiib. s investigated first by H. Schenck. 



O 2 



g) 



Fig. 106. Bauhinia sp. at Blumenan. Twig with 

 watch-spring tendrils. Two-thirds of natural size. After 

 H. Schencl<. 



