Madagascan Periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 1 m high and spreads to 1 m wide. In colder climates it is smaller and grown as an annual. It has a woody base and a fleshy top. The stem is short, erect and branching. The leaves are glossy green and oval. They are 5 cm long. The leaves have pale midribs. The flowers are soft pink tinged with red. There are 5 petals. The flowers are 4 cm across.

There are about 6-8 Catharanthus species. It is used in medicine. This plant has more than 60 different kinds of alkaloids. Some of these (vincaleucoblastine, and leurocristine) are used in the treatment of cancer.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Madagascar. It prefers rich, moist, well drained soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. Seed need a temperature of at least 13-18°C to grow. The plant can grow in temperatures down to 5-7°C. It is drought resistant. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brasil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Canada, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Madagascar (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mexico, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Suriname, Swaziland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Due to alkaloids this leaf should not be eaten without suitable processing. The leaves have been recorded as eaten but should probably not be eaten in large quantities. A tea is made from the leaves.

They are probably not eaten in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, poisonous, caution, medicine

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Seedlings grown slowly. Seed are sown 6 mm deep. They should be in a temperature of 24-27°C to quicken germination. Seedlings can be transplanted.

Its other names

Local names

Ainskati, Arivotambelona, Billaganneru, Caca poule, Cape periwinkle, Conchita, Chuchurika, Kakuti, Kotomisi, Losa, Madagaskarski zimzelen, Malikuruvaa, Nayantara, Old maid, Phaeng-phuai-farang, Pink Periwinkle, Rosy periwinkle, Sada-phul, Sadabahar, Sudukadu mallikai, Te buraroti, Thinbaw-ma-hnyo-pan, Ushamalari, Vinka, Winka

Synonyms

Ammocallis rosea (Linnaeus) Small; Catharanthus roseus var. albus G. Don; Lochnera rosea (Linnaeus) Reichenbach ex Endlicher; Lochnera rosea var. alba (G. Don) Hubbard; Lochnera rosea var. flava Tsiang; Pervinca rosea (Linnaeus) Moench; Vinca rosea Linnaeus; Vinca rosea var. alba (G. Don) Sweet;