Ipomoea is the largest genus in the family Convolvulaceae, with over 500 species. Most of these are called morning glories, but this can also refer to related genera. The genus occurs throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The genus is made up of annuals, perennials, evergreen shrubs, and trees. Many of the annuals and perennials are trailing or twining climbers. Although mainly grown for their funnel-shaped or tubular flowers, some are grown for their foliage. Ipomoea can be grown in the greenhouse or outdoors as annuals over a pergola or archway, or as groundcover.

Ipomoea pes-capre ssp brasiliensis, commonly known as Beach Morning Glory and Goat’s Foot in English and Strandpatat in Afrikaans, is a South African indigenous perennial creeper found growing in sandy soils along the coastal areas of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. During summer and autumn it produces purple, white, pink or mauve/lilac flowers which attract butterflies and bees. Medicinally the leaves brewed into a tea to treat colds and flu and the seeds are used to treat gonorrhoea, syphilis, and parasitic infections. An infusion of the roots is used as a laxative and also to treat stomach and intestinal complains.