Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

Vinca rosea, Madagascar periwinkle

The Madagascar periwinkle is a native of Madagascar, now endangered there, but cultivated and naturalized in subtropical and tropical areas elsewhere.

Plants: 2–3′ (60–91 cm) in height. When broken, stems exude a sticky white sap.

Leaves: Dark green, glossy, oval, up to 5″ long ⨉ 2″ wide (12 ⨉ 5 cm).

Flowers: Flowers have five petals and are rose pink. (There are many cultivars with red, purple, and white flowers too. Cultivars may have brighter or contrasting coloration at the center of the bloom.)

Fruits: A pair of follicles ¾–1½″ long ⨉ ⅛″ wide (2–4 cm ⨉ 3 mm).

Habitats: Humid tropical and subtropical environs.

Edibility: Poisonous This plant is toxic to cows and people.

Medical: Madagascar periwinkle has been used to treat wasp stings, arrest bleeding, reduce sore throats, an eyewash, for menorrhagia and rheumatism, diabetes, asthma, flatulence, tuberculosis, dyspepsia, indigestion, malaria, high blood pressure, and dysmenorrhea. Though it bears mention that each culture applied the plant for a different one of these purposes, calling these uses into question. But in recent years, this periwinkle has attracted serious medical attention because it contains several alkaloids of use in treating several cancers. See the National Tropical Botanical Garden article.

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Catharanthus roseus description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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