Vinca minor L.
common periwinkle
Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
common periwinkle
Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Species Information
General:
Trailing perennial herb, freely rooting; stems spreading, 10-60 cm long, branching.
Leaves:
Opposite, egg-shaped to egg-shaped-lanceolate, narrowed at the base, 3-9 cm long.
Flowers:
Solitary, bluish-purple, usually 20-30 mm wide, 1 per stem, calyx lobes glabrous.
Fruits:
Long cylindric pods without tufted hairs, 3-5 cm long.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia
USDA Species Characteristics
Habitat and Range
Roadsides and waste places in the lowland zone; infrequent in SW BC, known from SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and lower mainland; introduced from Eurasia.Status Information
Taxonomic Keys
1. Flowers usually 20-30 mm wide, usually solitary; calyx lobes glabrous; leaves narrowed at the base................ V. minor
1. Flowers usually 30-50 mm wide, up to 4 per stem; calyx lobes ciliate; leaves squared-off or somewhat heart-shaped at the base........................ V. major |
Taxonomic Notes
This species is listed are one of the twelve most problematics species in the Vancouver Region by the Greater Vancouver Invasive Plant Council. For further information, visit their web site.
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