Flora of East-Central Indiana

Periwinkle (Myrtle)
Scientific Name Vinca minor   L.
Family Name Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Characteristics

 

Habitat: open woods, roadsides
Plant Height:  to 6 cm tall; 13-20 cm, trailing, scrambling stem, somewhat woody
Flower Color: purple, sometimes white
Flower: perfect; to 2.5 cm wide, 5-lobed corolla funnel-shaped, note whitish star in center of petals, stamens adnate to corolla
Inflorescence: single flower borne in leaf axils
Fruit: inconspicuous, small (2.5 cm) brown, bean-like follicle
Leaves: opposite
Bloom Time: April-May
Origins: non-native, Europe
Other: evergreen garden plant can grow almost anywhere; is considered invasive and is very troublesome in many areas; it can be difficult  to eradicate once established due to rapid colonization by runners; source of two alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine, with anti-cancer properties
Vinca_minor_habitat.jpg (78444 bytes) Vinca_minor_general.jpg (41102 bytes)

Vinca_minor_white.jpg (48228 bytes)

 Vinca_minor_stamens.jpg (22493 bytes)  Vinca_minor_pistil.jpg (20684 bytes)
general habitat general habit white flower dissected flower

Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ●  ECI Flora Home

information provided by

FSEEC
Field Station and
Environmental Education Center
Ball State University, Muncie, IN



comments to:
hbrown@bsu.edu