bigleaf periwinkle |
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Gentianales > Apocynaceae > Vinca major L.
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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: | 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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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/
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