[Wikipedia] South America Native, Habitat, Damage to Tree Canopy: The plant is native to South America: Peru mainly, but also Argentina and Brazil. These plants grow in wastelands with trees and hedges, in forests and in rocky places or cliffs. They prefer sunny or partially shady places, at an altitude of 0 to 1,800 metres (0 to 5,906 ft) above sea level. The fast-growing vines can cover a tree canopy in two or three years, competing with the tree for light, water, and nutrients. They damage trees by this competition and by twining so tightly around their branches that it girdles them.[9] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)