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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