T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network


Periwinkle

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids 
Order: Gentianales 
Family: Apocynaceae  (periwinkle) 
Genus: Vinca 
Species: V. major
Botanical Name : Vinca major
Common Name : periwinkle

Periwinkle forms a dense mat of long-running, hairless stems with roots at the nodes. It has dark green, glossy, sometimes variegated leaves up to four centimetres long. It produces purple-blue tubular flowers up to five centimetres in diameter all year round.
Habitats:Waste places, roadsides, banks, lowland & coastal forest, alluvial flats. Tolerates shade and wide range of soil conditions.
Impact on environment: Similar to tradescantia it forms a thick carpet that smothers other plants even in shade conditions. Stops regeneration of native seedlings.