LIANA

"The vascular tissues of the Liana are modified primarily for the water. There is a relative lack of information on this very abundant and diverse life form. Lianas can represent approximately one-quarter of all woody species in tropical forests. There are 90 revealed species of Lianas from 21 plant families. Lianas have been found to affect the growth of over 50 percent of trees with a diameter of more than 10 centimeters (4 inches). Lianas are known to delay forest regrowth in canopy gaps. A large number of animals depend on lianas for food in the form of leaves, sap, nectar, pollen and fruit."