Taquarí

Taquarí (Mabea caudata) hasn't quite made up its mind whether it's tree, shrub or a vine. It'll make adaptations to any environmental situation in order to get to sunlight. I deal with them on a regular basis when it's time to cut cut brush back from the edges of the Bosque reception center grounds. Long before undergrowth has reached any height at all, taquarí has found its way over and through other vegetation to get to the "big hole" in the woods. Likewise, they are always found on the sides of road systems, edging out of the brush to get to what they like best, sunlight. In the attached image you can see the inflorescence of the tree, which is already out in the open.