Lianas are characteristic of tropical moist broadleaf forests (especially seasonal forests), but may be found in temperate rainforests and temperate deciduous forests In brazil this formation is known as cipoal or mata de cipó (cipó being the brazilian word for liana). There are also temperate lianas, for example the members of the clematis or vitis (wild grape) genera.
They are a conspicuous component of tropical forest ecosystems and represent one of the most important structural differences between tropical and temperate forests. As the name implies, in a liana forest woody vines or lianas predominate The meaning of liana is any of various usually woody vines especially of tropical rainforests that root in the ground.
Although a liana may simultaneously utilize several of these climbing mechanisms, it is normally possible to recognize the prevalent climbing mode
