Growth models for tree stems and vines (Q529139)

A model for the growth of a tree stem or a vine is proposed. The equations describe the elongation due to cell growth, and the response to gravity and to external obstacles. An additional term accounts for the tendency of a vine to curl around branches of other plants. When obstacles are present, the model takes the form of a differential inclusion with state constraints. At each moment of time, a cone of admissible reactions is determined by the minimization of an elastic deformation energy. The main result states that local in time solutions exist, and they can be continued to the global in time ones, unless a specific ``breakdown'' configuration is attained. Approximate solutions are constructed and numerical simulations are provided.