Periwinkle (Vinca spp) are evergreen to semi-evergreen vines with violet, pink or white pinwheel-shaped flowers. Vinca spp are commonly grown as groundcover in temperate gardens for their evergreen foliage, bright colorful flowers, ease of culture, and dense habitat that smothers most weeds. Periwinkle flowers March to May, and sporadically May to September. Slender, cylindrical fruit appears May to July.
Toxic components
Periwinkle contains more than 50 alkaloids which are used in modern day medicine to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and have been used as disinfectants.
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Death
