Secamone alpini stems

Old stems of the liana, Secamone alpini, become familiar sights in forest shade below the canopy of leaves. The long stems retain the characteristic twisting from the times when they were young. Initially twining around twigs, they have now matured, hardened into the sturdy shapes in the photo. The original support long strangled... no good deed goes unpunished!

The bark is more grey than brown and rough. Several of these branches will be suspended on supporting tree branches in the case of mature plants, hanging from on high. The burdens carried through life are heavier for some.