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Vinca minor
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Common Name: | Common Periwinkle, Myrtle, Creeping Myrtle, Vince |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Europe, Western Asia |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a low, herbaceous perennial with trailing stems with a height of up to 15 cm tall and spreads up to 45 cm across. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Simple leaves with entire margin, leaf blade is elliptical, measuring 2.5 to 5 cm long, dark and glossy green in colour, arranged oppositely along the stem and turn leathery when mature. |
| Stems | Stems are thin, slender and wiry. |
| Flowers | Flowers are tubular in shape, lavender blue in colour, located in the leaf axils. |
| Habitat | Commonly found on near sea level to over 1200 m above sea level in the Alps. |
| Etymology | The genus Vinca means to bond, which refers to the long flexible stems that are used in wreath making. The specific epithet minor means smaller, which refers to the leaf size that is smaller than Vinca major. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Its low and trailing growth habit is useful for erosion control and has showy lavender blue flowers which made the plant suitable for ornamental ground cover. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Groundcover, Slope Stabilization |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1253 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2546 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |