Why is periwinkle called flower of death?
Periwinkle, an evergreen trailing groundcover, is a common invader throughout most of the United States. It is native to Europe, where it was commonly known in folklore as the “flower of death” because its vines were woven into headbands worn by dead children or criminals on their way to execution.
Are periwinkles poisonous to humans?
Vinca (Catharanthus roseus), commonly referred to as Periwinkle, is an evergreen perennial that blooms in the spring and summer. Popular as a groundcover, Vinca is a favorite choice of gardeners. All parts of Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) are considered poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and horses.
Do periwinkles come back every year?
While both plants are separate species within the genus, they have a lot in common. Periwinkles spread rapidly, providing excellent groundcover and erosion prevention. Prolific reseeding habit guarantees the plant's return in spring, even in bitter climates that kill it back completely.
What is periwinkle good for?
Periwinkle is an astringent herb that can be used as a mouth rinse to soothe the pain of canker sores. The herb contains tannins that can bind up fluids and possibly relieve inflammation. More. Historically, herbs known as astringents have been used to soothe the pain of canker sores.
Is periwinkle poisonous to touch?
Periwinkle plants are safe to handle and may not harm when touched; however, wash your hands thoroughly after pruning, cutting, or potting these plants as the toxins might have flowed on your hands.
Are vincas the same as periwinkles?
Periwinkle is also called vinca or myrtle. Of the 12 species of periwinkle, two are popular groundcovers. All species have opposite leaves and single flowers. The perennial periwinkle should not be confused with the bedding plant, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).
Can periwinkle survive winter?
Vinca (Vinca minor) also called myrtle and common periwinkle, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8. In these climates, it generally survives the winter. It's grown as an annual in colder regions, although vinca might survive under snow.
How do I stop periwinkle from spreading?
Cut periwinkle plants with pruning shears in late spring or early fall when temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a weed whip for large patches. Spray the cut stems with a ready-to-use, 5-percent glyphosate weedkiller.
Will periwinkle choke out other plants?
Vinca minor, also known as just vinca or periwinkle, is a fast growing, easy groundcover. It's appealing to gardeners and homeowners needing to cover areas of the yard as an alternative to grass. This creeping plant can be invasive though, choking out native plants.
Can you eat periwinkles?
Since periwinkles are considered an invasive species, there are no regulations on harvesting them. They are small and time-consuming to eat, but they are truly delicious and make the perfect free snack from the sea. To eat them, simply steam them for about 3 to 4 minutes and then toss with some melted butter.
Where does periwinkle grow?
Native to Asia and Europe, periwinkle is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. It blooms best in full sun, but it also grows in shade and is often planted under trees.
What color does periwinkle look like?
Periwinkle is a pale indigo color that takes its name from the flower. It is blue with shades of purple and sits between the two in the color wheel. The hex code for periwinkle is #CCCCFF. Periwinkle represents serenity, calmness, winter, and ice.
Are all periwinkles edible?
You can eat any variety of them, at any time of year, though some aren't worth bothering with as they are so small. The “Edible Periwinkle” is called edible because it's 2 to 3 cm (an inch) in size, which makes it more worthwhile bothering with. The Edible is in fact the largest periwinkle.
What part of periwinkle is used for medicine?
Overview. Madagascar periwinkle is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground and the root are used to make medicine. Madagascar periwinkle is used for diabetes, cancer, sore throat, cough, insect bite, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Is vinca major edible?
Here are a few that are poisonous and should not be used: bleeding heart (dicentra), buttercup, delphinium (larkspur), foxglove, hydrangeas, iris, lily of the valley, lupine, monkshood, narcissus, periwinkle (vinca major and vinca minor), primrose, azaleas, star of Bethlehem and wisteria, to name only a few.
Is Missile Toe poisonous?
The Bottom Line. Until recent studies were published, the American mistletoe genus, Phoradendron, was widely considered to be extremely poisonous. Swallowing American mistletoe can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset but is not likely to cause serious poisoning if small amounts are unintentionally swallowed.
What is a periwinkle?
Periwinkle, in zoology, any small marine snail belonging to the family Littorinidae (class Gastropoda, phylum Mollusca). Periwinkles are widely distributed shore (littoral) snails, chiefly herbivorous, usually found on rocks, stones, or pilings between high- and low-tide marks; a few are found on mud flats, and some tropical forms are found on ...
What is a periwinkle in zoology?
Periwinkle, in zoology, any small marine snail belonging to the family Littorinidae ( class Gastropoda, phylum Mollusca).
How many species of periwinkle are there in the world?
Of the approximately 80 species in the world, 10 are known from the western Atlantic. The common periwinkle, Littorina littorea, is the largest, most common and widespread of the northern species.
When was Periwinkle introduced to North America?
Widespread along the rocky shores of northern Europe, the common periwinkle was introduced into North America at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in about 1857 and has spread as far south as Maryland.
Do periwinkles breed in water?
The breeding habits of periwinkles are quite variable. L. saxatilis, which lives high up on rocks and is often out of water for long periods of time, holds its embryos in a brood sac until the young are fully developed, at which time they emerge as tiny crawling replicas of the adult.
What are the names of the flowers in the periwinkle?
There are several names for periwinkles, including Vinca minor, Vinca major, Magdalena, church-flower, blue buttons, joy on the ground, devil’s eye, sorcerer’s violet, and myrtle . One of the active ingredients in the periwinkle is Vincamine, which has been used in numerous scientific studies for years.
Where did the Periwinkle originate?
The lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) originated in Spain, France and other parts of Europe while the greater periwinkle (Vinca major) originated in Southern Europe. They are close relatives to Madagascar periwinkle, so-called because it is native to the island of Madagascar.
What is the purpose of periwinkle plant?
Reducing calcium buildup from dialysis. Pain relief, including from sore throats and headaches. One of the most interesting things about the periwinkle plant is that there are various varieties, including the Littorinidae, which is actually a form of a snail.
What is Madagascar Periwinkle used for?
The Madagascar periwinkle has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for diabetes, eye infections, sore throats, tumors and other ailments. Western scientists also recognize it may have anticancer agents after a shaman in Madagascar used the plant for treating tumors and cancer.
Why is Vinca called Vinca?
The species name, Vinca, is derived from a Latin word that means “to overcome,” which is appropriate because since medieval times the plant has been used for a variety of ailments. In fact, several prescription drugs to help cure cancer have been made with the periwinkle flower in the past several decades.
How tall does the illumination plant grow?
It grows up to 30 feet in height and blooms from April through the fall months.
How wide are tulips?
They are always stunning flowers, in part because their petals get up to 5 inches in width and come in almost any color you can imagine. This makes them the perfect choice when you want multi-colored flower beds or hanging baskets.
How tall is a periwinkle?
Growing periwinkle as a ground cover is common, as it rarely reaches more than 4 inches (10 cm .) in height. Periwinkle is best used for controlling erosion as described above. Do not plant near other specimens in the flower bed or garden, as it may overtake and choke out valuable plantings.
What is a periwinkle plant?
Periwinkle is often also called creeping vinca or creeping myrtle. Periwinkle is most often grown as a ground cover. The periwinkle plant takes its common name from the attractive blooms that dot the foliage in April to May, appearing in the color of periwinkle blue.
How far can a Periwinkle plant spread?
In many instances, extreme vigor may not be desirable unless the periwinkle plant needs to cover a large area. One small plant can spread to 8 feet (2.4 m.) across.
What plants are not suitable for Vinca?
Alternative plants, should this one not be suitable in your location, include ajuga, wintercreeper, creeping juniper, and partridgeberry.
Can periwinkle be used as a climber?
This plant may be used as a climber on a non-living support and is useful for blocking views when used in this way. Before planting periwinkle, make sure it is what you want in the area, as it is difficult to remove once established. Periwinkle appears low on the exotic invasive list, but can escape cultivation in the garden.
Is periwinkle drought resistant?
Periwinkle, once established, is drought resistant and needs little other care if properly site d in the landscape. Periwinkle care after planting may require the removal of tall weeds in the area. Once established, growing periwinkle will likely shade out future growth of weeds and eliminate this chore. The periwinkle plant grows best in ...
What color is a vine in spring?
Vinca minor vines most commonly put out a blue flower in spring, but the color can also be lavender, purple, or white.
How to propagate vinca minor?
You can also do a stem cutting, but that takes a little more work since you have to get the stem to root. Your best bet is to use divisions or nursery transplants. Dividing established plants is the quickest way to propagate.
Why are vines drought tolerant?
Drought-tolerant ground covers such as Vinca minor vines have a greater chance of surviving than thirstier plants would. Because of their ability to root and spread, they can help hold the soil in place. This can be important on the side of a hill, where soil erosion might be a problem.
How tall does a spruce tree get?
The species plant grows 6 to 18 inches tall (with a similar width), but North Americans more typically grow dwarf versions. Flower colors can be hot pink, lavender, lilac, pink, red, or white. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.
Can Vinca minor grow in full sun?
Vinca minor grows in partial sun, partial shade, and full shade. It tolerates deep shade conditions but may burn in direct sunlight. For best results, plant them in partial shade. Also, they are a good choice for a ground cover for an area with dry shade .
Is Vinca minor a good ground cover?
Tough, low-maintenance, and pest-free, Vinca minor (commonly known as periwinkle) has pretty broadleaf foliage and flowers; it is also useful for providing ground cover and is known for its creeping habit. In spite of all these benefits, there is one drawback: It has a tendency to overtake an area with its ability to naturalize.
Is Madagascar Periwinkle perennial or annual?
Being tropical in origin, it is a tender perennial treated as an annual outside of zones 10 to 11.
Landscape Use
- The trailing, arching stems that root where they touch the soil make these evergreen plants useful as groundcovers, for erosion control on banks, or for cascading from window boxes or planters. Periwinkle grows well under trees and shrubs, on shaded slopes or on the north side of buildings…
Cultivation
- Periwinkle prefers shade but will grow well in full sun. The foliage color is richer green in partial shade, but more flowers are produced in the sun. Rooted cuttings or established plants are normally spaced from 12 to 18 inches apart. At a 6-inch spacing periwinkle will completely cover an area in one year. Plant whenever the soil is workable and provide sufficient water, especially …
Cultivars of Periwinkle
- ‘Alba’ has white flowers.
- ‘Atropurpurea’ has purple flowers.
- ‘Bowles Variety’ has blue flowers and grows vigorously in clumps.
- ‘Variegata’ has blue flowers and leaves variegated with rich yellow.
Cultivars of Large Periwinkle
- ‘Alba’ has white flowers.
- ‘Pubescens’ bears more pubescent leaves than the species and red-purple flowers with narrow petals.
- ‘Reticulata’ has foliage netted with yellow lines.
- ‘Variegata’ has creamy white blotches on the leaves. Flowers are blue and plants are someti…
- ‘Alba’ has white flowers.
- ‘Pubescens’ bears more pubescent leaves than the species and red-purple flowers with narrow petals.
- ‘Reticulata’ has foliage netted with yellow lines.
- ‘Variegata’ has creamy white blotches on the leaves. Flowers are blue and plants are sometimes known as ‘Elegantissima.’
Problems
- Periwinkle is susceptible to dieback (plants wilt and “die back” to the ground), caused by fungal diseases. Cankers, which are sunken, wound-like lesions, may be visible on the stem near the ground-line. Fungal leaf spots occasionally occur and look like brown circular-to-oval spots on the leaves. Infected leaves should be sheared off and discarded. To reduce fungal infection, avoid o…