The railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is an attractive native plant that grows in coastal habitats, especially dunes and beaches. The species name is taken from the Latin term “pes” for foot and “caprae” for goat, referring to the notched shape of its leaves. It occurs along the Atlantic coast of Georgia and Florida, and along the Gulf coast from Florida to Texas.
The flowers of the railroad vine can appear all year but are most abundant during the warmer months of May through November. Each trumpet-shaped flower measures about 2 inches long and wide and range in color from pink to lavender, or violet with a darker colored throat in a star pattern. The flower lasts only one day, opening at sunrise and closing by early afternoon on sunny days. While short-lived, the showy flowers are attractive to pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, ants.
Sometimes called beach morning glory, the railroad vine is well adapted to the harsh beach environment with the constant moving sand and salt spray. Railroad vine is drought, salt and wind tolerant and has low nutritional requirements. It grows rapidly and puts out low-growing runners covered with leathery green leaves. Each runner can reach more than 100 feet long. The common name “railroad vine” refers to its tendency to form “tracks” of horizontal stems or stolons.
Railroad vine is an excellent beach and dune stabilizer and helps to prevent coastal erosion. The spreading habit holds beach sand in place because the plants put down roots along the length of the stems wherever leaf nodes touch the sand. Its 3’ deep taproot also helps to hold the dune together. Railroad vine provides habitat for many diverse endangered or threatened animal species including gopher tortoise, Florida beach mice, scrub jays and kestrels.
The beaches at Gamble Rogers and North Peninsula State Parks are adorned
with this native beauty. Take a look next time you are visiting the beaches.
You will be glad you did!
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