lower stems sometimes die back, severing any connec-
tion with the ground. Most species are found in the
Araceae (32 species of Philodendron, Monstera, and
Syngonium), Cyclanthaceae (8 species of Asplundia
[Fig. 3.§},Evodianthus, andLudovia), Gesneriaceae (11
species ofAlloplectus, Columned, and Drymonia), and
Scrophulariaceae (4 species of Schlegelia; Appen-
dix 2). These plants are prominent in the cloud forest,
where they grow on almost every tree; they are least
common on the dry Pacific slope. In the cloud forest,
bare bark is only rarely visible through the vines and
epiphytes. Quararibea costaricensis and a few spec-
ies of Myrtaceae stand out as exceptions because their
smooth flaking bark sheds bryophytes and ferns and
maintains their trunks largely free of climbers.
Vines. These plants are defined as herbaceous or
semiwoody climbers that seldom grow to more than
5 m long. Vines are more abundant in secondary for-
est, in overgrown pastures, and along roadsides than
in primary forest. The Asclepiadaceae, Asteraceae,
Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, and Malpigh-
iaceae include many species (Appendix 2). A total of
81 species of dicot vines and six species of monocots
(in addition to the aroids and cyclanths) has been
identified (Table 3.7). The above-ground stems of
some Convolvulaceae species die back annually; in
others, the stems are semiwoody and perennial.
Lianas. These plants are perennial woody climb-
ers that reach more than 5 m in length. They may as-
cend into the canopy (e.g., Celastrus, Mucuna [Figs.
3.10, 3.11]), Passiflora, Paullinia\ see Diller O'Dell,
"Mucuna," p. 72) or form dense tangles in light gaps
and edges (Chusquea and Smilax). Lianas ascend tree
trunks using tiny adventitious roots (e.g., Hydrangea
astrolasia, Marcgravia brownei, Passiflora brevifila),
climb by draping their stems over tree branches (e.g.,
Irisine calea, the bamboos Arthrostylidium, Chusquea,
and Rhipidocladum), or spiral up small tree stems (e.g.,
Rhynchosia, Salacia). In Monteverde, 43 families con-
tain lianas, the most species-rich being Convol-
vulaceae, Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, and Passifloraceae
among dicots, and Dioscoreaceae and Smilacaceae
among monocots (Fig. 3.12). A total of 220 species of
lianas occur at Monteverde (193 dicots, 25 monocots,
and at least 2 ferns; Table 3.7, Appendix 2). Lianas are
most abundant in secondary forest and drier habitats
and least abundant in the cloud forest.Epiphytes and hemiepiphytes. Epiphytes are plants
that grow on other plants. As with lianas, their strat-
egy is to attain a position in the sun without produc-
ing supporting stems (Fig. 3.1). With the exception of
mistletoes, epiphytes do not parasitize their hosts, butFigure 3.9. (above left) Inflorescence of Asplundia micmphylla (Cyclanthaceae). Photograph by Stephen Ingram.
Figure 3.10. (above right) Mucuna urens flowers. Drawing by Willow Zuchowski.54 Plants and Vegetation