EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

One Huge Climber

tree:  Sal (Shoria robusta), Family Dipterocarpaceae
climber:  Bauhinia vahlii [racemosa], Family Fabaceae [Caesalpiniaceae]
Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, India

Explanation:  In northern India winds this immense climber around a sal tree.  Who is this?

The climber goes by alternative scientific names and is placed in either of two botanical families (see above).  

Regardless of the name, this immense climber is found in south India including India and Pakistan, and is also grown as an ornamental (Jack and the Beanstalk, anyone?).  

But it's more than just a pretty face (??).  The leaves are used as fodder for livestock, the seeds are edible, and the bark is used for twine and rope.  It may also have some biomedical value, as well.  

Moreover, look at how it is twining about its host tree:  clockwise, as viewed from above.  Do you know why?  We explored this in a previous EPOW episode...