The Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family. This versatile plant is also referred to as perennial vinca or rosy periwinkle.
Catharanthus roseus exhibits an upright growth habit with multiple branching stems. Its leaves are oppositely arranged, oval in shape, and feature short petioles, entire margins, and smooth, glabrous surfaces. A distinctive characteristic is the prominent white coloration of the main leaf veins.
The plant produces terminal umbel inflorescences, showcasing flowers in a variety of colors including red, purple, pink, white, and less commonly, yellow. Each flower displays a unique corolla structure resembling an elevated butterfly, with five lobes and a contrasting dark eye at its center.
New leaf growth at the branch tips is accompanied by the emergence of two flowers, resulting in prolific blooming and an extended flowering period. This abundance of flowers contributes to the plant’s vibrant and vigorous appearance.
Madagascar periwinkle’s continuous bloom from spring through autumn has earned it the poetic nickname “perennial spring,” reflecting its long-lasting beauty throughout the growing season.
Catharanthus roseus, a member of the Apocynaceae family, is known by various common names including rose periwinkle and “thirty thousand flowers” in some cultures. Extensive breeding efforts, particularly in Taiwan, have resulted in numerous cultivars, with a trend towards developing varieties with larger flowers.
The plant has significant medicinal applications, with the entire plant being utilized for various therapeutic purposes. These include pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, sleep aid, laxative properties, and diuretic functions. Some practitioners incorporate it into cancer treatment regimens due to its potential anti-tumor properties. However, it’s crucial to note the plant’s toxicity and exercise caution in its use.
Accidental ingestion can lead to serious side effects, including decreased white blood cell and platelet counts, muscular weakness, and limb numbness. The plant’s milky sap contains alkaloids such as vincristine and vinblastine, which are extracted for use in chemotherapy drugs to treat various cancers, including leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Madagascar periwinkle thrives in warm, humid conditions and can tolerate partial shade, but it is not cold-hardy. Optimal growth occurs at temperatures between 20°C-33°C (68°F-91°F). The plant requires ample sunlight and well-drained soil conditions, as it is susceptible to root rot in waterlogged environments.
Catharanthus roseus adapts well to various soil types, with a preference for well-aerated, sandy soils or those rich in organic matter. However, it does not tolerate saline or alkaline soils. Under favorable conditions, the plant flowers and fruits almost year-round in tropical and subtropical climates.
The native range of Madagascar periwinkle includes the Mediterranean coast, parts of India, and tropical America. In China, its cultivation is primarily concentrated in regions south of the Yangtze River, including Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan provinces.
Globally, numerous cultivars of Madagascar periwinkle have been developed and introduced to various regions. In China and many other countries, these cultivars are popularly used in container gardening and ornamental landscaping, adding vibrant color to gardens, patios, and urban green spaces.
This sub-shrub plant, Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle), can reach up to 60 centimeters in height. It is slightly branched with a succulent interior and is either glabrous or has minute pubescence throughout.
The stem is quadrangular with distinct longitudinal striations and a grey-green coloration. Internodes measure 1-3.5 centimeters in length.
Leaves are membranous, obovate to elliptical, measuring 3-4 centimeters long and 1.5-2.5 centimeters wide. The leaf apex is rounded with a short mucronate tip, while the base is broadly cuneate to cuneate, tapering gradually into the petiole. Leaf venation is flat on the adaxial surface and slightly raised on the abaxial surface, with approximately 8 pairs of lateral veins.
Inflorescences are axillary or terminal cymose umbels, typically bearing 2-3 flowers. The calyx is deeply 5-lobed, with the inner surface either eglandular or with inconspicuous glands. Sepals are lanceolate to acicular, attenuate, and approximately 3 millimeters long.
The corolla is red and salverform. The corolla tube is cylindrical, about 2.6 centimeters long, with sparse trichomes on the inner surface. The throat is constricted and lined with stiff hairs. Corolla lobes are broadly ovate, measuring about 1.5 centimeters in both length and width.
Stamens are attached to the upper half of the corolla tube, with anthers concealed within the throat, separate from the stigma. The ovary and floral disc characteristics are consistent with other members of the genus.
Fruit consists of paired follicles, erect, parallel or slightly divergent, approximately 2.5 centimeters long and 3 millimeters in diameter. The pericarp is thick and papery, with striations and soft pubescence. Seeds are black, oblong-cylindrical, truncate at both ends, and covered with small granular tubercles.
This species exhibits an extended flowering and fruiting period, blooming almost year-round in suitable conditions.
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) thrives in full sun to partial shade. When grown in containers, place them outdoors in a location that receives direct sunlight for at least 6 hours daily. Rotate the containers periodically to ensure uniform growth and prevent phototropism. During intense summer heat, provide light shade to prevent leaf scorching, especially during midday hours.
Catharanthus roseus prefers warm temperatures ranging from 20-33°C (68-91°F). It is sensitive to cold and frost, so avoid premature outdoor placement in early spring, particularly in temperate regions. Be vigilant of late spring frosts that could damage new growth. In hot summer periods, ensure adequate air circulation and consider providing temporary shade to prevent heat stress.
Well-draining, fertile soil is crucial for healthy root development. Prepare a substrate mixture comprising equal parts of leaf mold, garden soil, and coarse sand. To enhance drainage and aeration, incorporate 10-20% perlite or vermiculite into the mix. This soil composition promotes root health and prevents waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
While Madagascar periwinkle prefers consistent moisture, it is susceptible to overwatering. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring complete saturation but allowing excess water to drain freely. In spring and autumn, watering every 2-3 days is typically sufficient. During summer, monitor soil moisture daily and adjust watering frequency accordingly. Avoid overhead watering during the hottest part of the day to prevent foliar diseases and rapid temperature fluctuations that could stress the root system.
During summer, maintain humidity and mitigate heat stress by misting the foliage and surrounding area in the early morning or late afternoon. This practice helps to lower the ambient temperature and increase atmospheric moisture.
In regions with cold winters, particularly in USDA hardiness zones below 9, move plants indoors to a bright, warm location for overwintering. Maintain temperatures above 10°C (50°F) and reduce watering frequency to prevent root rot. When overwintering indoors, place plants near a south-facing window but away from direct heat sources to prevent desiccation.
Implement a regular fertilization schedule using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) applied at half-strength every 2-3 weeks during the active growing season. Cease fertilization in late autumn and winter to allow the plant to enter a period of semi-dormancy.
Regularly inspect plants for common pests such as spider mites, whiteflies, and aphids. Early detection and intervention with appropriate organic or chemical controls can prevent severe infestations and maintain plant health.
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is typically propagated through seeds, though cutting propagation is also viable. However, plants grown from cuttings generally exhibit less vigor compared to those grown from seeds.
Seed propagation is the most common and preferred method for Madagascar periwinkle, usually conducted in early spring, around April.
After emergence, place seedlings in a location with bright, indirect light. Provide some shade if exposed to intense direct sunlight. When seedlings reach about 5 cm (2 inches) in height and have developed 3 pairs of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into garden beds.
Water every 3-5 days and apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with higher phosphorus and potassium content to promote strong root and flower development.
Cutting propagation is best performed in spring or early summer using semi-hardwood cuttings.
Tissue culture is an advanced propagation method primarily used in commercial or research settings. It involves cultivating plant tissue in a sterile, controlled environment.
This method requires specialized equipment and expertise, making it impractical for most home gardeners.
Madagascar periwinkle contains toxic alkaloids, which contribute to its natural resistance against many pests and diseases. However, some issues can still arise, particularly in unfavorable growing conditions.
Symptoms: Blackening and browning of bark and wood at the root collar, wilting of above-ground parts, and possible plant death in severe cases.
Control methods:
Symptoms: Small, black-brown spots on leaves that expand into irregular reddish-brown patches. Stems may develop elongated black-brown lesions.
Control methods:
Symptoms: Gray-brown oily spots on leaves, stems, and flowers, potentially developing into a white mold under humid conditions. Severe cases may lead to wilting and soft rot.
Control methods:
For all diseases, cultural practices that promote plant health and reduce environmental stress are crucial. These include proper spacing, adequate sunlight, good air circulation, and appropriate watering practices. Always follow fungicide label instructions carefully and rotate between different active ingredients to prevent resistance development.
The Effects and Benefits of Madagascar Periwinkle
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) has a slightly bitter taste and cooling properties. In traditional medicine, it is associated with the liver and kidney meridians.
It is known for its ability to cool the blood, lower blood pressure, and calm the mind. The plant is used to treat various conditions including hypertension, burns, and certain types of cancer such as malignant lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, and monocytic leukemia.
The alkaloids isolated from Madagascar periwinkle exhibit significant anti-tumor properties. Vincristine and vinblastine are the most valuable and are widely used in clinical practice.
Despite their similar chemical structures, these alkaloids have distinct anti-tumor spectra and do not exhibit cross-drug resistance. Vincristine is primarily used to treat Hodgkin’s disease and choriocarcinoma.
Its efficacy against other cancers, including lymphosarcoma, mycosis fungoides, leukemia, rhabdomyosarcoma, melanoma, and various solid tumors (breast, lung, oral, stomach, colon, etc.), is still under investigation.
Alkaloid crystals isolated from Madagascar periwinkle demonstrate significant hypotensive effects. When administered intravenously at doses of 1.5-4mg/kg, they substantially lower blood pressure in anesthetized animals, with effects lasting about an hour.
Higher doses (>4mg/kg) can cause severe hypotension potentially leading to death. The alkaloids can counteract acute renal hypertension and have a coronary vasodilating effect, acting as an antispasmodic ganglion blocker.
Madagascar periwinkle has traditionally been used to treat diabetes. Several alkaloids isolated from the plant, including Vindoline, Leurosine, Lochnerine, Catharanthine, Tetrahydroalstonine, and Vindolinine, exhibit varying degrees of hypoglycemic effects.
These effects are characterized by a slow onset but long duration. Water extracts from the leaves have also shown blood sugar-lowering effects in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic animals.
Madagascar periwinkle is a versatile ornamental plant suitable for various garden applications:
Madagascar Periwinkle Flower Language and Symbolism:
Legend:
The story of Rousseau and the periwinkle illustrates the flower’s association with nostalgia and remembrance. Rousseau’s emotional reaction to rediscovering the periwinkle after many years highlights the plant’s capacity to evoke powerful memories and connections to the past.
This legend underscores the cultural significance of Madagascar periwinkle beyond its medicinal and ornamental values, emphasizing its role in human emotional experiences and memory.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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