What is the key difference between a bine and a vine?

The key difference between a bine and a vine lies in how each plant type climbs. Bines, which refer specifically to certain climbing plants like hops, ascend by wrapping their stems around a support structure. This wrapping motion is typically clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the species. In contrast, vines, such as those in the grape family, utilize tendrils or adhesive pads to cling to their support, allowing them to climb without wrapping. This distinction in their climbing mechanisms is fundamental to understanding their growth habits and how they are cultivated in agriculture, particularly in the context of brewing and viticulture.

The other options do not accurately represent the major differences between bines and vines. While there may be variations in flower quantity, growth rates, and sunlight requirements among different species, these factors are not defining characteristics that separate bines from vines in the way their climbing methods do.