Tiny periwinkle
Catharanthus pusillus

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

An erect annual herb. It grows 10-20 cm tall. The branches are 4 sided. They spread from the base. The plant has milky sap. The leaves are opposite and sword shaped. They are 3-8 cm long. The edges are rough. The leaf base narrow to a tiny stalk. The flowers are small and flat. They are 6-8 mm across with 5 white petals. They are in the axils of the upper leaves. The seed pod is slender. It is 3-5 cm long.

There are about 6-8 Catharanthus species. They originally came from Madagascar.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India (country/location of origin), Myanmar, SE Asia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plant is poisonous unless treated.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chetthai, Chupa-vela, Kapavila, Laba ba, Marcha ara, Marchi ara, Maricha arxa, Milagai, Milakaych chakkalatti, Paalaich, Sangkhapuli, Sangkhi, Sankaphi, Taw-nga-yoke, Teanklo, Tiloni

Synonyms

Lochnera pusilla (Murr.) K. Schum.; Vinca pusilla Murr.;