Periwinkle, Madagascar
Catharanthus roseus Syn. Vinca rosea
Family: Apocynaceae
Perennial evergreen vining ground cover. Native to Madagascar, escaped
to the tropics of the old and new world; grown as a showy summer flower
in temperate zones. The leaves and roots of this plant contain over 60
distinct alkaloids, used to treat infant leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease and
tumors. Cultivation: Easy. Sow in the greenhouse in early
spring for flowers in the first year, or sow directly in the garden.
Full sun or partial shade. Space plants 1 foot apart.
Flowers white to rose to 1 foot.
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