Pronunciation: [ɹˈʌnə vˈa͡ɪn] (IPA) 
Runner vine is a type of climbing plant often used for decoration. Its spelling is made up of two parts: "runner" and "vine". The word "runner" is spelled as /ˈrʌnər/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with a short "u" sound, followed by an "n" sound and a schwa sound. "Vine" is spelled as /vaɪn/, with a long "i" sound and an "n" sound. Together, they form "runner vine" /ˈrʌnər vaɪn/ pronounced as RUN-er VINE.
Runner vine refers to a type of climbing or creeping plant that grows horizontally along the ground or other supporting structures, producing long trailing stems called runners. These runners have the ability to extend horizontally across the surface and develop new roots at certain intervals, allowing the plant to spread and expand its reach. Runner vines are characterized by their ability to effectively colonize large areas and cover various surfaces with their vigorous growth habit.
These plants typically possess thin and flexible stems, which enable them to trail along the ground or climb up adjacent structures like walls, trellises, or fences. The runners, which are prostrate or semi-prostrate in their growth habit, aid in providing stability and support to the vine. Runner vines often have a creeping growth pattern and are commonly found in various plant families, including but not limited to members of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), such as cucumbers and melons, as well as some strawberry plants.
The runners of these vines serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they help the plant cover larger areas in a relatively short period of time, ensuring better chances of light exposure and space utilization. Secondly, the runners enable the plant to propagate vegetatively by producing new roots at nodes along their length. This allows the runner vine to spread and form new individual plants from its original parent plant. Due to their vigorous growth and ability to multiply, runner vines are often used in landscaping to provide ground cover, for erosion control, or to fill in empty spaces in gardens or landscapes.
The word "runner vine" does not have a specific etymology because it is a combination of two separate words: "runner" and "vine".
The word "runner" comes from the Old English word "rinnan", which means "to run". It has roots in the Proto-Germanic language.
On the other hand, the word "vine" comes from the Old French word "vigne" and ultimately from the Latin word "vinea", which means "vineyard" or "grapevine".
When combined, "runner vine" refers to a type of climbing or trailing plant that spreads by sending out long, thin stems or runners, such as the strawberry plant or certain species of ivy.
