Ipomoea pes-caprae (Beach Morning Glory)

Native to tropical and subtropical coasts worldwide, this creeping perennial vine grows on sandy beaches and dunes. Its stems root at the nodes, anchoring the plant as it spreads. Thick leaves often have a notched tip. Pink to purple funnel-shaped flowers open in the morning and last one day. Bees are the main pollinators, and the flowers generally need pollen from another plant to set fruit. Capsules release hairy seeds adapted for dispersal by ocean currents. The vine tolerates salt spray and is used to stabilise beaches and dunes. Photographed in Tayrona, Colombia.