Ipomoea cairica aka Railroad Creeper

Ipomoea cairica is an evergreen vine. It belongs to the bindweed family, Convolvulaceae. Its native range spans tropical and southern Africa. It also spans the western Indian Ocean. The range extends from Israel through Arabia, and from India to Taiwan. It grows in tropical regions that have a dry season. People grow it for flowers, screens, food, and fibre.

This perennial lives for years and grows from a tuberous rootstock. It makes thin stems. A listed height is about 10 feet [3 metres]. Its stems can reach about 16 feet [5 metres] long. They trail on the ground or wind around nearby plants. The stem bases can turn woody as the plant ages. Its fast growth helps it cover fences and form screens. Flowers range from violet-purple to white. The plant keeps its leaves year-round.

Wild plants grow on coasts, in forest gaps, and in grassland. They also grow beside lakes, in damp places, and along hedges. Other sites include waste ground and land used for crops. Records include heights above sea level of about 2,300–6,560 feet [700–2,000 metres]. In gardens, it prefers rich soil that drains well. The growing account calls for some sun. It also calls for moderate to ample water. Growers can raise new plants from seed or cuttings.

This vine has escaped gardens across much of the tropics. Its stems can cover and smother other plants, even trees. This growth can change habitats and reduce the range of species. It can also threaten crops. It forms a quick screen, but brings this spread risk. People gather wild plants for local use. They sometimes grow them as vegetables, too. The stems yield fibre for sponges, while vines serve as cord. Seeds also hold a fixed oil. Its commercial use is unclear.

Reported food uses include cooked leaves, stems, and tubers. The stems and tubers taste bitter. One account says to wilt leaves in sunlight before cooking them. Reports of hydrogen cyanide mean these food uses need care. Too much cyanide can stop breathing and cause death. People have used it to treat skin problems and external infections. They have also used the seeds as a strong purgative. These records show past uses, not proof of safe treatment.