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Tendrils
Tendrils are used to support
climbing plants.
They can be derived from several
types of plant tissues including
modified:
Stems
Leaves
Leaf parts
Inflorescences
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Tendrils
Modified stems
Cucumber tendrils are modified stems
that curl around an attachment.
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Tendrils
Modified stems
Each end of a passionflower tendril curls
and tightens in opposite directions
drawing the stem closer to the support.
Counter clockwise
Clockwise
Passionflower (Passiflora)
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Tendrils
Modified stems
Some members of the Vitaceae
have branched tendrils that arise
from a node opposite a leaf.
Grape ivy (Cissus)
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Grape (Vitis)
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Tendrils
Modified stems
Virginia creeper produces a branched tendril
ending in a specialized disc that cements the
tendril to a solid support. After attachment,
the tendril tightens its coils to bring the
stem closer to the support.
Virginia creeper
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
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Tendrils
Modified leaves
Bauhinia produces a stem that terminates in a pair of
coiled tendrils that are modified leaves.
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Tendrils
Modified leaves
Gloriosa is an example of a modified leaf
where the tip functions as a tendril to
attach to supports.
Gloriosa superba
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Tendrils
Modified leaves
In a similar fashion, the leaf tip of
the tropical pitcher plant produces
extended growth that functions as
a tendril. Ultimately the tip
becomes the modified pitcher.
Tendril clasping a support
to support the pitcher.
Tendril
Tendril
Pitcher
Pitcher
Pitcher
Tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthes)
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Tendrils
Modified compound leaves
In sweet pea, the terminal leaflets
of the compound leaf are converted
to tendrils.
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
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Tendril leaflets
Photosynthetic
leaflet pair
Stipules
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Tendrils
Modified compound leaves
The cups and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens)
has a long arching compound leaf with
numerous branching tendrils replacing the
terminal leaflets.
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Tendrils
Modified compound leaves
In some Clematis, the petiole or rachis portion of
the compound leaf functions as the clasping tendril.
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Tendrils
Modified stipules
The genus Smilax is unique in two respects.
It is one of the few monocots with stipules
and it is the only genus where the stipules
are modified into tendrils.
Leaf
Pair of
stipule tendrils
Pairs of
stipule tendrils
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Tendrils
Modified inflorescence
The flowering stem can also be modified to function as tendrils.
Flowers
Flowers
Clasping
flower
stem
Clasping
flower
stem
Ampelopsis
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Tendrils
Modified inflorescence
In grape (Vitis), a tendril is associated
with the inflorescence that will eventually
provide support for the fruit cluster.
Clasping
tendril
Flowers
Tendril on a grape
inflorescence.
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Tendrils
Modified inflorescence
Artabotrys has an inflorescence
hook associated with the flower
that can act in support.
Hook
Hook
Artabotrys hexapetalis
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