V/ABC Wednesday

I have always been attracted to vines, especially flowering vines.  I like the naturalness of vines---their spontaneous search of sunlight, and instinctive clinging and twining for support.  A vine generally is referred to any plant with a growth habit of trailing, climbing, stems or runners.  The flowering vine above is called Violet Allamanda or Allamanda blanchetii, a beautiful but poisonous plant.

Considered a noxious weed, Cadena de Amor, is a climbing, perennial vine wildly crafted in the Philippines. A few years ago, a Metro Manila Chairman planted cadena de amor at the center islands of EDSA and C5, two major thoroughfares, to enhance the greening of the metro and in an effort to reduce carbon dioxide. Dubbed as vertical gardens, the pink flowers somehow cheered up the drab roads. But the invasive vines eventually choked up trellises and lamp posts, and the streets looked like a forest. 

I love the wildness of vines.  They add dimension to this self-portrait of a Davao artist, Kublai Millan.  And these hanging vines, probably strangler figs---overwhelm a balete/banyan tree in a forest park.

 

 Linking to ABC Wednesday