Family: Apocynaceae
greater periwinkle, periwinkle, running-myrtle
Botanical Illustration
Michael Clayton
Bell Museum
Etymology: Vinca: from the Latin name Vinca pervinca from vincio, "to bind," referring to the shoots
Plants: trailing perennial shrub up to 40" long, mat-forming ground cover, milky juice; stems somewhat woody
Leaves: opposite, stalked, lance-shaped to elliptical, broadest near the middle, evergreen, glossy with hairless edges
Flowers: blue, 5-parted, 3/4"-1 1/4" wide; flat, wide, funnel shape; solitary in axil of each pair of leaves; blooms April-May
Fruits: paired, very narrow, rarely seen pods
Habitat: roadsides, woods
Invasiveness: Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - persisting and spreading; ecologically invasive
Plants: trailing perennial shrub up to 40" long, mat-forming ground cover, milky juice; stems somewhat woody
Leaves: opposite, stalked, lance-shaped to elliptical, broadest near the middle, evergreen, glossy with hairless edges
Flowers: blue, 5-parted, 3/4"-1 1/4" wide; flat, wide, funnel shape; solitary in axil of each pair of leaves; blooms April-May
Fruits: paired, very narrow, rarely seen pods
Habitat: roadsides, woods
Invasiveness: Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - persisting and spreading; ecologically invasive
Invasive And Exotic Species of North America: Descriptions, management issues, warnings, photos, etc. WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada" Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest; UW-Extension: Note: INVASIVE. Interactive guide providing information on cultivation including: soil, zone, growth rate, landscape uses, pruning, light requirements; with photos and Latin name pronounciation
Botanical Illustration
Michael Clayton
Margery Melgaard
Kurt Stüber
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration