Plant Information: Vinca major (periwinkle)

Vinca major (periwinkle) is a perennial, evergreen herb with shiny, dark green leaves, violet flowers, and a milky latex. It does not reproduce by seed in California, thus it spreads vegetatively. It has been widely planted because it is a very successful shade tolerant groundcover that grows in even the poorest soils. As a result of its shade requirement it often grows in patches around the bases of trees or spreads up and down drainages where the cover is dense. Under ideal conditions it can spread rapidly by means of its arching stolons which root at the tips. It is uncertain how serious a threat this plant is within the watersheds and how extensively it might spread. Currently it only appears to be present mostly in the tributaries to the Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey Rivers where it has been planted by homesteads. It does not appear to have spread into the main river stems themselves.

• General Biology and Control Methods: TNC Element Stewardship Abstract (outside link)
• Vinca major photo gallery