Railroad vine, Bayhops
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Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis
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Convolvulaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Groundcover in open, coastal uplands. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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One of the most important sand-binding vines in coastal uplands throughout South Florida. |
Availability: |
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Widely available in central Florida. Commonly available at native plant nurseries in South Florida. Available at Indian Trails Native Nursery in Lake Worth (561-641-9488) and in Boynton Beach at Sustainscape (561-245-5305). |
Description: |
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Prostrate herbaceous vine with very long stems. |
Height: |
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Typically 3-9 inches in height; stems to 100 feet in length. |
Growth Rate: |
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Fast. |
Range: |
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Southeastern United States west to Texas and south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. |
Habitats: |
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Beach dunes and coastal thickets. |
Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Pioneer; grows in unconsolidated substrate in direct salt wind and spray. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
Flower Color: |
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Pink to reddish-purple. Rose-purple stripes radiate out from the throat. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Showy, 2-3" wide. |
Flowering Season: |
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All year. |
Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous capsule. All year. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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One of the most important beach pioneer species. Nectar plant for butterflies. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed or cuttings. |
Comments: |
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The name "pes-caprae" means "goat's foot" referring to the shape of the leaf. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.
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