Analysis of species composition and attribute characteristics of related traits of lianas growing in the karst areas of south China

We systematically studied the species composition and attribute characteristics of related traits of lianas in the karst areas of south China by means of field surveys and laboratory studies. The results showed that there were 1 463 species of lianas in this area, belonging to 241 genera in 67 families. Among these were the gymnosperms, which belonged to 7 species in 1 family, 1 genera, and the angiosperms, which could be traced to to 1 456 species in 240 genera spread across 66 families. Among the angiosperms, dicotyledonous lianas were more abundant than the monocotyledonous ones. With respect to the constitution of families and genera, the monotypic families and monotypic genera are the most important constructive species in this area, but the family composition was relatively centralized and the genera composition was relatively dispersed. The flora exhibited marked tropical characteristics; however, the temperate components also played an important role. With respect to the climbing mode, the winding type was the most common, followed by the curling, sorption and attachment types. Compared with other areas, the sorption type was more prevalent than the winding type. With respect to the life cycle, high buds possessed absolute advantage, while the ground buds, underground buds, and annual species had fewer advantages. With respect to the leaf characteristics, the small, single, leathery, and incomplete leaves were dominant. In the sexual breeding system, hermaphrodite flowers were the most common, followed by unisexual flowers, while the least common were the hybrid flowers. The flowering and fruiting stages showed certain seasonality, but the flowering stage was attained mainly between May to July, with June being the peak, while the fruiting stage was attained between August and October, with September being the peak. The peak of flowering and fruiting stages did not occur in July, which has the highest precipitation, and in July and August, which have the highest temperature. In conclusion, the diversity and ecological characteristics of lianas in the karst areas of South China were the result of long-term adaptation of lianas to their complex habitats.