show Abstracthide AbstractRhamnella rubrinervis (Rhamnaceae) is distinguished as the sole evergreen woody plant with both climbing and erect habits of a genus that otherwise comprises only erect deciduous trees. Up to date, rare species have been reported with both climbing and erect habit in the natural condition. And species like this accordingly provide a good model to explore the acquisition and evolution of climbing habits. Therefore, R. rubrinervis is a suitable one to study the mechanism and evolution of climbing habit.