U Vine
4/6/03
U Vine
Recently I noticed a vine that I had not seen before and am searching for a way to identify it. If you can help me, please do. If you do not know but know a book that identifies vines I would appreciate your telling me about it.
I am calling the vine a U vine because if a cross section were cut out it would look like a U. Most vines I have seen are round, or nearly round. The U vine is like a regular round vine except for a U shaped groove that appears to have been gouged out of it. The groove extends from the root to the top of the vine, with the groove generally running on the upper side of the vine, or the side away from the host tree. The first time I saw the vine it’s groove reminded me of injury resulting from a lightning strike. Later observations [4 0r 5] convinced me that the groove is a distinct characteristic of the vine. This opinion seemed confirmed by the presence of the groove over the whole length of the vine and its presence on all of the like vines.
One of the U-vines seen on the Big Creek Greenway trail had a very unusual trunk. It appeared to be four or five trunks combined in a single body. At one point about fifteen feet from the ground I could see light between two parts of the divides trunk, above which it returned to a single trunk as it continued up the tree. Vines have been observed going to the top of trees, as far as forty feet.
The vines I have noticed have a diameter of one to three inches. It climbs up trees to a high level. It does not have prominent tendrils, though close observation reveals thin short tendrils which branch at their ends into several hair-like lines which hold the vine to its host tree. These tendrils are easily overlooked and often are hidden between the vine and the tree trunk. I have not seen any leaves or blossoms on the vines, but this fact may be due to the season of observation and will be checked later.
The U vine is distinctly different from such vines as Poison Ivy, Honeysuckle, Wild Grape. Muscadine or Scuppernong.. Its surface is somewhat similar to the Trumpet Vine, but is clearly a different vine.
I have seen the U vine in the vicinity if creeks and rivers. I have not seen one in areas 25 feet or more above the waterline of streams. Also, I have not seen one emerging from the soil more than a foot or two from its host tree.
Any information you can supply regarding this vine will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jerry
U Vine
Recently I noticed a vine that I had not seen before and am searching for a way to identify it. If you can help me, please do. If you do not know but know a book that identifies vines I would appreciate your telling me about it.
I am calling the vine a U vine because if a cross section were cut out it would look like a U. Most vines I have seen are round, or nearly round. The U vine is like a regular round vine except for a U shaped groove that appears to have been gouged out of it. The groove extends from the root to the top of the vine, with the groove generally running on the upper side of the vine, or the side away from the host tree. The first time I saw the vine it’s groove reminded me of injury resulting from a lightning strike. Later observations [4 0r 5] convinced me that the groove is a distinct characteristic of the vine. This opinion seemed confirmed by the presence of the groove over the whole length of the vine and its presence on all of the like vines.
One of the U-vines seen on the Big Creek Greenway trail had a very unusual trunk. It appeared to be four or five trunks combined in a single body. At one point about fifteen feet from the ground I could see light between two parts of the divides trunk, above which it returned to a single trunk as it continued up the tree. Vines have been observed going to the top of trees, as far as forty feet.
The vines I have noticed have a diameter of one to three inches. It climbs up trees to a high level. It does not have prominent tendrils, though close observation reveals thin short tendrils which branch at their ends into several hair-like lines which hold the vine to its host tree. These tendrils are easily overlooked and often are hidden between the vine and the tree trunk. I have not seen any leaves or blossoms on the vines, but this fact may be due to the season of observation and will be checked later.
The U vine is distinctly different from such vines as Poison Ivy, Honeysuckle, Wild Grape. Muscadine or Scuppernong.. Its surface is somewhat similar to the Trumpet Vine, but is clearly a different vine.
I have seen the U vine in the vicinity if creeks and rivers. I have not seen one in areas 25 feet or more above the waterline of streams. Also, I have not seen one emerging from the soil more than a foot or two from its host tree.
Any information you can supply regarding this vine will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jerry
posted by Jeremiah | 11:12 AM
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