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Vinca Rosea

Catharanthus roseus

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameVinca Rosea

DescriptionHighly significant medicinal plant native to Madagascar, renowned as the source of vinca alkaloids (vinblastine and vincristine) used in chemotherapy to treat leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers. Attractive evergreen subshrub producing cheerful five-petaled flowers with contrasting eye colors in pink, white, or red that bloom nearly year-round in warm climates. Extremely heat and drought-tolerant once established, thriving in hot, humid conditions where many plants struggle.

FamilyApocynaceae

GenusCatharanthus

TribeVinceae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ☿ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals forming salverform (flat-faced) corolla, 5 free stamens, 2 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features

Name 'Catharanthus' from Greek 'katharos' (pure) and 'anthos' (flower). 'Roseus' means rosy or pink in Latin. Formerly classified as Vinca rosea. Also called 'Sadabahar' in Hindi meaning 'always in bloom'
Five-petaled flowers 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across with distinctive contrasting eye color in center. Colors include pink, white, red, rose, and lavender. Blooms appear nearly year-round in tropical climates, spring through fall in temperate zones. Glossy, dark green oval leaves
Evergreen perennial subshrub in tropics, grown as annual in cold climates. Blooms continuously with no deadheading required. Self-cleaning flowers drop when spent. Forms bushy, rounded mound with woody base in warm climates
Grows 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) tall with 1-2 foot (30-60 cm) spread. Lifespan of many years in frost-free climates, grown as annual elsewhere. Propagated by seeds or cuttings. Self-seeds readily in warm climates
Endemic to Madagascar, now naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including India, Australia, and southern United States. Grows in various habitats from forests to disturbed areas. Considered invasive in some tropical regions
Thrives in full sun to partial shade with 4-6 hours of sunlight. Extremely heat and drought-tolerant once established. Prefers well-drained soil but adapts to poor soils. Performs best in hot, humid conditions. Not frost-tolerant, dies at temperatures below 32°F (0°C)
Major medicinal plant containing over 130 alkaloids including vinblastine and vincristine used in chemotherapy for leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and other cancers. Also used traditionally for diabetes and high blood pressure. Ajmalicine lowers blood pressure. Subject of biopiracy concerns
All parts highly toxic if ingested - causes vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially fatal poisoning. Keep away from children and pets. Despite toxicity, widely used in landscaping for low maintenance and continuous bloom. Deer and rabbit resistant. No serious pest or disease problems

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCatharanthus roseus

English (Alternate)Periwinkle, Madagascar Periwinkle, Rosy Periwinkle, Old Maid, Pink Periwinkle

Hindiसदाबहार (Sada Bahar)

Tamilநித்திய கல்யாணி (Nithyakalyani)

Teluguబిళ్ళ గన్నేరు (Billa Ganneru)

Malayalamനിത്യകല്യാണി (Nithyakalyani), ശവം നാരി (Shavam Naari), ഉഷമലരി (Ushamalari)

Kannadaಸದಾಪುಷ್ಪ (Sadaapushpa), ನಿತ್ಯಪುಷ್ಪ (Nityapushpa)

SanskritSadapushpa, Nityakalyani, Sadampuspa, Nithyapushpa

Bengaliনয়নতারা (Nayantara)

FrenchMadagascar periwinkle, Pervenche de Madagascar, Catharanthe

RussianКатарантус розовый (Katarantus rozovyy), Барвинок розовый (Barvinok rozovyy), Барвинок (Barvinok)

Spanishvinca del cabo

GermanZimmerimmergrün, Madagaskar-Immergrün, Rosafarbene Catharanthe

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.