Catharanthus roseus aka Periwinkle

Taxonomy

Genus Catharanthus Family Apocynaceae Order Gentianales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta

Catharanthus roseus, also known as bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, graveyard plant, Madagascar periwinkle, old maid, pink periwinkle, and rose periwinkle, is a perennial evergreen sub-shrub in the family Apocynaceae. This plant is native to Madagascar and is widely grown as both an ornamental and medicinal plant. It has glossy green leaves and produces oblong leaves measuring about 2 inches. The plant is hardy and popular in subtropical gardens. Trailing vinca is a low maintenance trailing plant that spreads easily, making it a common choice for ground cover in garden beds. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and blooms all summer from July through September, stopping only at frost. The plant is resistant to deer and rabbits and can be used as a ground cover in beds and for bedding and borders in drought tolerant gardens, butterfly gardens, and recreational play areas. One of its notable uses is as a source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, which are used to treat cancer. It was formerly included in the genus Vinca as Vinca rosea. The plant has many vernacular names, including arivotaombelona or rivotambelona, tonga, tongatse or trongatse, tsimatiririnina, and vonenina.

Common names

Periwinkle, Vinca, Sadabahar

How to care for Periwinkle

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Periwinkle, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Periwinkle should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Periwinkle loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Periwinkle prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Periwinkle is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Periwinkle as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Periwinkle’s native range is Africa - eastern and southern Madagascar.

More info:
Wikipedia

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