Syn.: Convolvulus pes-caprae L., Ipomoea maritima (Desr.) R. Br.
Family: Convolvulaceae Juss.
Distribution: This species occurs in almost all tropical areas of the world – tropical Northern and Southern America, Eastern Africa, Western Africa, India, Southeastern Asia, and Australia.
Ecology: Grows on coastal dunes and sand banks in tropical regions all the world. Flowers from May to November.
Description: Evergreen, perennial herb with creeping stem up to 30 m long. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, fleshy, leathery, elliptical to orbicular, to 10 cm long. The flowers are funnel-shaped, pink to purple, each flower opens only once.
Note: The Caribbean Indians used Railroad Vine in ritual baths. The juice from the leaves has been used in Malaysia as a first aid to treat jellyfish stings.
These images were taken in Oceania, the Samoa Islands, Upolu Island (by Jiří Nevěřil, October 2005), and Mauritius, Trou aux Biches (by Jindřiška Vančurová, 15. 10. 2012).
