vine

Vine is a growth habit in which slender stems climb, trail, or spread to reach light. Vines can be herbaceous or woody; many tropical species are lianas. Climbing is achieved by twining the stem around supports, using tendrils, developing adventitious roots, or producing adhesive pads that cling to surfaces.

Vines occur in many plant families, including Vitaceae (grapes), Cucurbitaceae (cucurbits), Convolvulaceae (morning glories), Fabaceae (various climbers), Araliaceae (ivy), and Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper). Common examples include grapevine (Vitis vinifera), English ivy (Hedera helix), wisteria, bougainvillea, morning glory, climbing rose, and Virginia creeper. They range from ornamental garden plants to important agricultural crops and components of natural ecosystems.

Ecology and cultivation: Vines provide ground cover, shade, and wildlife habitat, but can smother other vegetation or become invasive outside their native ranges. In landscapes they are trained on trellises, pergolas, or walls; pruning and training manage vigor and shape. Growth rates and care needs vary widely among species, with some being drought-tolerant and others requiring more moisture or support.

Other uses: Vine also refers to a short-form video service launched by Twitter in 2013 that centered on six-second looping videos; it was discontinued in 2017, with creators moving to other platforms, and its format influencing later social media designs.