Book 17, Question 87
How Can a Vine Grow Hundreds of Feet Without a Thick Trunk?
Lianas are woody vines that reach the sunny canopy without growing a thick trunk! They start as seedlings on the ground. Then they climb a tree to get where the light is.
More fun facts
- Woody vines are called lianas.
- By climbing up other trees, vines reach sunlight faster than if they grew a thick trunk.
- Lianas can grip tree bark, climb up and cover an entire forest canopy.
- They compete with trees for light and space.
- When a liana wraps around a tree, it can cost the tree.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian
Questions kids ask
What is a liana?
A liana is a woody vine that climbs other trees to reach sunlight.