- Tendril
In
botany , a tendril is a specialized stem,leaf or petiole with a threadlike shape that is used byclimbing plant s for support and attachment, generally by twining around whatever it touches.History
The earliest and most comprehensive study of tendrils was Charles Darwin's monograph "On the Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants," which was originally published in 1865. This work also coined the term
circumnutation to describe the motion of growing stems and tendrils seeking supports.Biology of tendrils
In the
garden pea , it is only the terminal leaflets that are modified to become tendrils. In other plants such as theyellow vetch ("Lathyrus aphaca ") the whole leaf is modified to become tendrils while thestipule s become enlarged and carry outphotosynthesis . Still others use therachis of a compound leaf as a tendril, such as members of the genus "Clematis ".The specialised pitcher traps of "
Nepenthes " plants form on the end of tendrils. The tendrils of aerial pitchers are usually coiled in the middle. If the tendril comes into contact with an object for long enough it will usually curl around it, forming a strong anchor point for the pitcher. In this way, the tendrils help to support the growing stem of the plant. [Clarke, C.M. 1997. "Nepenthes of Borneo". Natural History Publications, Kota Kinabalu.]"Tendril" can also be used to describe a wisp of hair or indeed anything that resembles the tendrils of plants.
Gallery
Nepenthes rafflesiana " upper pitcher with coiled tendril.Virginia creeper adhesive Tendril.References
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