Catharanthus roseus

Magnetic Island, Queenland (foreground). Dec 1995.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

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Poisonous plant

Common name

tropical periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle

Synonyms

Vinca rosea

Family

Apocynaceae

Authority

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don

Flora category

Vascular – Exotic

Structural class

Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites

Features

An annual with pink or white flowers (Landcare Research 1999).

Flower colours

Red/Pink, White

Year naturalised

1910

Origin

Madagascar

Poisonous plant:
This plant is very poisonous if eaten and can be hallucinogenic although used as a medicinal plant. In China it is used to treat diabetes and malaria.

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