It should be spelled 'scandent', which means 'climbing'. Shrubs and trees cannot climb, but can grow in canopies. Climbers are scandent by definition :-)
In taxonomic descriptions of the species in floras, we find ample variation in description of the habit of a species. For example, Species A is described as scandent shrub in one flora and is described as climber in another flora. This may be incorrect as well as correct depending on the knowledge of the person who have described as well as the nature of the species. A species may behave as scandent shrub/climber in one habitat and as a small tree in another habitat. Although few species do so, they are more common in tropical regions. This is the reason why we find variation in description of habit of species across floras.
Here in South Africa a good example is Dalbergia obovata (Fabaceae). It can look like anything. Elsewhere, I believe even Amborella trichopoda of New Caledonia, considered sister lineage to all other angiosperms, is pretty flexible in growth habit.
Yes, it's possible.
If apical meristem get damage then a species can form shrub like structure.
If light is sufficient then it take a form of small tree.
When competition of light is very tough it climbs up for light.
Species of Zizyphus, some members of teliaceae shows these changes.
Tropical dry forests, those are facing high disturbance, sufficient light and some place where light is limited species showing such variations.
Another example from South Africa is Scutia myrtina of the Rhamnaceae (although it occurs throughout Africa and into Asia). In denser habitats like thickets and forests this plant is a scandent shrub, while in open habitats like savanna it is a small tree.
Bonjour
several shrub species can grow branches which behave like vines, e.g. Forsythia and Eleagnus, and can occasionally be small trees. However a striking example of what you describe is Triphyophyllum peltatum of the Dioncophyllaceae, strating as a shrub, then a small tree, then its apex becoming a vine.
regards
Example - Ficus tinctoria G.Forst. subsp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner
Habit - Tree or erect shrub or scandent shrub.
YES....and in addition to Dr. Uma Shankar's view, a species habit may be influenced by the environment, age and/or season. Consequently, a Flora/researcher from a different environmental impact may have different observations of the same plant. Furthermore, there are plants that have different habits at some points in their life cycle.
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