The railroad vine is a perennial, fast growing, sun-loving plant found naturally on Florida beaches. Flowers are large, funnel-shaped and purple to purplish-pink in color.
A member of the morning glory family, flowers open in the morning and only last a single day. Even so, the plant is a prolific bloomer, adding color to the beachscape and attracting many pollinators--bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, ants.
Being light and small, railroad vine seeds are readily dispersed by water and wind.
In addition, roots generate wherever the leaf connection touches the ground, causing the plant to form large mats.
Branches grow in no time and may reach more than 30 feet in length.
For all of these reasons, the railroad vine is a favorite plant material used in beach restoration and stabilization.
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