Fauna
Plant

Saltmarsh Morning-glory

Ipomoea sagittata

Also known as Arrowleaf Morning Glory, Arrow-leaved Morning Glory

Saltmarsh Morning-glory weaves delicate trailing vines through coastal vegetation, producing vibrant magenta-pink trumpet flowers that open with the morning sun. Its distinctive, narrow arrowhead-shaped leaves help distinguish it from other trailing vines along marsh edges. The plant plays an important role stabilizing fragile soil along estuarine margins while providing rich nectar for coastal bees and butterflies.

CoastalFloweringVine
Saltmarsh Morning-glory reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Tortoise beetles
  • Grasshoppers
  • Deer
ThreatsCoastal development, shoreline alteration, invasive plants
HabitatsSalt marshes, coastal hammocks, barrier island thickets, dune swales
Life spanPerennial
Classification
  1. FamilyConvolvulaceae
  2. SpeciesIpomoea sagittata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Seeds contain toxic alkaloids if ingested; keep away from pets and children.
Why it is dangerous
Seeds contain toxic ergoline alkaloids that cause gastrointestinal distress and disorientation if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by narrow arrow-shaped leaves and bright pink to purple trumpet flowers along coastal wetlands.
What to do
Avoid harvesting seed pods and keep curious pets away from trailing vines.
Responsible observation
  • Timing: Visit in the early morning when blooms are fully open before mid-day heat causes them to close.
  • Spotting: Search along the damp upper margins of salt marshes and barrier island scrub.
  • Photography: Approach carefully without trampling sensitive marsh grasses and coastal vegetation.
Related species
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