Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Railroad Vine

Ipomoea pes-caprae

Other common name(s):

Goat-foot Morning glory, Bayhops, Beach Morning Glory

Family:

Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

4
to
15
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Saline

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Nectar Insects, Hummingbirds, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance. but regular pruning may be needed to control spread. Fast growing and drought tolerant. Makes an excellent ground cover. Often used for beach stabilization. Adds attractive foliage and flower color to the garden. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot. Native habitat: coastal sand dunes. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms January-December. Vine with creeping stem, but erect flower stalks. The name “goat’s foot,” refers to the shape of the leaf. Produces showy, funnel shaped flowers. The fruit is a capsule.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment sow the seeds in sandy soil and keep them moist until germination. https://earthone.io/plant/ipomoea%20pes-caprae
Stem Cutting Cuttings are generally faster and easier, and they have a higher transplant survival rate than plants produced from seed. Cuttings should be planted directly into a well-drained substrate with at least one node buried. Cuttings usually root within 7 to 10 days when grown under mist. To avoid rotting, cuttings should be removed from the mist to harden off as soon as they are rooted and may be transplanted to individual pots when roots are sufficiently developed. Gardeners can place cuttings to root in pots or directly into the ground and hand-water them until roots are well-developed. Take cuttings from healthy vines and plant them in sandy soil, ensuring they receive adequate sunlight and moisture. 1) https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP587 2) https://earthone.io/plant/ipomoea%20pes-caprae 3) https://www.sustainscapeflorida.com/project/ipomoea-pes-caprae-railroad-vine/
Seed Scarification Seeds must be abraded or scarified before they will germinate. Seeds germinate much of the year except in winter. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP587

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason