This plant relies on its inflorescence for nearly all its carbon gain.

What is it about?

The large, green inflorescence of B. volubilis accounts for nearly two-thirds of the total biomass of the plant,while its occasional, linear leaves are small and ephemeral. The dominance of the inflorescence in the plant's biomass, coupled with its relatively high photosynthetic rate, illustrates the reliance of this plant on its inflorescence for nearly all its carbon gain.

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Why is it important?

The large inflorescence is succulent, and, as is the case with most succulent plants, it exhibits CAM biochemistry, specifically, a form of C3-CAM intermediacy known as CAM-Cycling.