bigleaf periwinkle

Gentianales > Apocynaceae > Vinca major L.
Synonym(s): large periwinkle, greater periwinkle, periwinkle
Bigleaf periwinkle is an evergreen to semi-evergreen, trailing vine that reaches to over 6.6 ft. (2 m) in length. The stems are stout, somewhat woody and green in color. The opposite, glossy leaves are 1 ½ to 2 ½ in. (3.8-6.4 cm) long and heart-shaped to elliptical. Some varieties have variegated leaf colors. Flowers are violet to blue (possibly white) in color, 1 ½ to 2 in. (3.8-5.1 cm) wide, and 5-petaled. Bigleaf periwinkle invades open to shady forests often around former plantings at old homesites. It forms dense and extensive mats along forest floors that exclude native vegetation. Bigleaf periwinkle is native to Europe and was first introduced into North America in the 1700s as an ornamental. It is still commonly sold as an ornamental ground cover.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Selected Images

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Number:0016132
Description: Feature(s); vines with new growth in April
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
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Number:0016133
Description: Feature(s); Both regular and variegated varieties shown on right compared to common periwinkle on left
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
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Number:0016134
Description: Feature(s); vine and leaves closeup in April
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
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Number:1380417
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:0016238
Description: Plant(s); Flower (side view) and vines in April
Photographer:James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service
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Number:2307172
Description: Flower(s); Common compared to Bigleaf flowers Summer
Photographer:Barry Rice, sarracenia.com
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Number:1380423
Description: Plant(s);

in flower

Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:5163037
Description: Flower(s); habit
Photographer:Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
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Number:5306022
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University
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Number:5306023
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University
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Number:5309030
Description: Seed(s);
Photographer:Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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External Links

Invasive Reference(s)

Subject Reference(s)

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. - http://plants.usda.gov/