Vinca major

Vinca major, commonly known as Greater Periwinkle or Blue Periwinkle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to the Western Mediterranean.

Description

Vinca major is a perennial vine with a sprawling habit, reaching a height of 10–20 cm. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–6 cm broad. The flowers are produced from early spring to autumn, blue to lavender, with a five-lobed corolla.

Distribution and habitat

Vinca major is native to western parts of the Mediterranean Basin but it has been introduced and is cultivated in many parts of the world as an ornamental plant. It prefers light, well-drained soil and can grow in both full sun and deep shade.

Cultivation and uses

Vinca major is widely used as a ground cover in temperate gardens for its evergreen foliage, spring and summer flowers, ease of culture, and dense habit that smothers most weeds. The species has few pests or diseases outside its native range and is widely naturalised and classified as an invasive species in parts of North America.

Medicinal uses

The plant has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, although there is little scientific evidence to support these uses. The alkaloids found in the plant have been used in the production of chemotherapy drugs.

Invasive species

In some regions, Vinca major has escaped cultivation and become invasive. It can outcompete native vegetation and create dense mats that cover the ground and other vegetation.

See also

• Vinca minor
• Invasive species
• Apocynaceae

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