Plants

Lianas are a type of climbing vine found throughout tropical rainforests. They have thick, woody stems and come in various lengths that can grow up to 3000 feet. They also have varying shapes. They begin life on the forest floor but depend on trees for support as they climb upwards towards the sunlight which they need for survival. They do this by attaching themselves to trees with sucker roots or tendrils, or they climb by winding themselves round the tree's trunk.

When they reach the top of the canopy they often spread to other trees or wrap themselves around other lianas. This network of vines gives support against strong winds to the shallow-rooted, top-heavy trees.

Some very tall trees have developed ways of obtaining much needed additional support by forming buttressed roots, which grow out from the base of the trunk sometimes as high as 15 ft above the ground. These extended roots also increase the area over which nutrients can be absorbed from the soil.