Typical of the Apocynaceae family
Ecology & growing context
- Native status · Kew WCVP
- WCVP native range does not include India Kew dataset ↗
Kew WCVP dataset; accepted-name match. Dataset matching is separate from an individual regional review. Recorded worldwide native range: Europe to Caucasus. Not listed native does not establish introduction or absence from India.
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Occurrence records show where a plant has been recorded; they do not establish that it is native there. Compare local habitat and growing conditions when choosing plants for a garden.
How to identify Lesser Periwinkle
Identify Lesser Periwinkle by combining habit, leaf characters, flower or fruit details, location, and its family pattern. Do not rely on one feature alone.
- Check the distinctive field mark: Low creeping groundcover periwinkle.
- Confirm leaf arrangement: Opposite.
- Confirm leaf margin: Entire.
- Confirm flower colour: Purple.
- Confirm flower arrangement: Solitary.
- Confirm it sits within the Apocynaceae family pattern, then compare close relatives before deciding it is Lesser Periwinkle.
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Vinca minor
- Genus
- Vinca
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Leaf arrangement
- OppositerecordedTwo leaves arise from the stem at the same point, facing each other.“The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 2–4.5 cm (3⁄4–1+3⁄4 in) long and 1–2.5 cm (1⁄2–1 in) broad, glossy dark green with a leathery texture and an entire margin.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf margin
- EntirerecordedA smooth, unbroken edge with no teeth or notches.“The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 2–4.5 cm (3⁄4–1+3⁄4 in) long and 1–2.5 cm (1⁄2–1 in) broad, glossy dark green with a leathery texture and an entire margin.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Typical of the family
Characters marked “recorded” are for Lesser Periwinkle itself; the rest are typical of the Apocynaceae family.
Flower & fruit characters
- Flower colour
- PurplerecordedPurple or violet
- Flower arrangement
- SolitaryrecordedA single flower borne alone, not in a cluster.“The flowers are solitary in the and are produced mainly from early spring to mid summer but with a few flowers still produced into the autumn;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fruit type
- FolliclerecordedA dry pod that splits open along a single seam.“The fruit is a pair of follicles 2.5 cm (1 in) long, containing numerous seeds.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Typical of the family
- Inflorescence
- Cyme
- Fruit
- Follicle
Characters marked “recorded” are for Lesser Periwinkle itself; the rest are typical of the Apocynaceae family — flowering plants only.
About Lesser Periwinkle
Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a species in the Apocynaceae family.
Uses
In practice it is long used in traditional medicine. Those medicinal uses are traditional attributions, not medical advice.
Apocynaceae
Dogbane family
Lesser Periwinkle belongs to the Apocynaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
Explore the Apocynaceae familySnap it. Know it.
Point your camera at Lesser Periwinkle or any plant and SASYA identifies it instantly — on-device, offline, and private.
Common plant problems
If you are starting from symptoms instead of a diagnosis, use the plant disease symptom checker to narrow the cause before treating.
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