Liana is the name for various vines found in tropical rain forests. Lianas are huge, flowering, woody vines and can be as thick as a man's body. They can reach up to 800 feet long and bind the trees, sort of knitting the canopy layer together.

Lianas climb on or around the trunks and branches of trees, using the trees for support. They have flexible shoots and grow rapidly. They have adapted to life in the rainforest by having their roots in the ground and climbing high into the tree canopy to reach available sunlight.

There are several types of lianas. Some, called scramblers or leaners, have no special structures for support. They lean against trees as they climb. Other lianas twine around trunks and branches. Many lianas have threadlike tendrils that attach tightly to nearby vegetation or other objects. Others use adventitious roots as a means of attachment. Still other lianas have hooked thorns or prickles for climbing.