Microloma sagittatum living alone

When there are no conveniently positioned shrubs near the place where a Microloma sagittatum seed germinates, this happens. Solitary in the sand, it will grow and bloom without complaint or gloat.

Apart from some gentle curving of the older stems, there is no sign of the twining nature of the stems that manifests when nearby plants or other support structures, particularly branched shrubs, offer the chance of gaining height.

If it is sunshine the branches are after, enough of it arrives here on the open ground to make the green plant parts produce food. Should the terrain become overgrown, a yearning for sunlight or an innate tactile habit of the stem-tips to curl around whatever is available will cause the climb of keeping up with the branches.

Whether such branches call themselves Jones or not, no chances are taken with opportunities for photosynthesis (Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).