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periwinkle
Scientific Name: Catharanthus
Family: Apocynaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Vinca minor: Lesser Periwinkle or Myrtle Herb
The name "Periwinkle" is commonly associated with a color in the blue and purple family, taking its name from the lesser periwinkle or myrtle herb (Vinca minor) due to the flower's similar hue.
Considerations for Pets
- Vinca minor is often found as ground cover in gardens and homes across warmer regions.
Considerations for Children
- Vinca minor is often found as ground cover in gardens and homes across warmer regions.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Vinca minor
- Common Names: Lesser Periwinkle, Myrtle Herb
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Genus: Vinca (evergreen subshrubs or herbs)
- Synonyms: Vinca major 'Elegantissima' is mentioned in the text but needs further validation.
Distribution and Habitat
- Vinca minor is often found creeping down steep hillsides and banks, particularly in areas where other plants might struggle to grow.
- The lesser periwinkle is now naturalized in parts of Britain.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Vinca species can be trailing or woody evergreen herbs.
- Vinca minor is widely cultivated as a ground cover.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The lesser periwinkle is pollinated by long-tongued bees.
Quirky Facts
- Traditional Madagascan healers used the rosy periwinkle for treating diabetes, which led to the discovery of its anti-cancer properties by Western scientists.