A woody, flattened, hook-like tendril developed precociously, one per leaf axil, for this lianaceous legume, Bauhinia guianensis (Family Caesalpiniaceae). Species of Bauhinia are easily recognized because most have simple, deeply cleft, bifid, or bifoliate leaves. The young leaf is folded in half, appearing like a butterfly with the bottom sides showing. In some species, older leaves also experience folding at nighttime and during water stress.