Vinca major
Greater Periwinkle
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Genus
- Vinca
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The plant is astringent, bitter, detergent, sedative, stomachic and tonic[16][19][11][17][3][13]. It contains the alkaloid 'vincamine', which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator[13]. It also contains 'reserpine', which reduces high blood pressure[13]. It is used internally in the treatment of excessive menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge and hardening of the arteries[13]. It should not be given to patients with constipation[13]. It is applied externally to vaginal discharge, nosebleed, sore throat and mouth ulcers[13]. The plants are cut when flowering and dried for later use[13]. The fresh flowers are gently purgative, but lose their effect on drying[16]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[16]. It is used in the treatment of haemorrhages[16].
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Bitter
- Product or use
- Detergent
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
- Product or use
- Hypotensive
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vasodilator
Material uses
The stems are used in basket making[19]. A very good ground cover for covering steep banks and shady places, spreading rapidly once established and forming a dense cover within 2 years[2][14][15][7][9]. It is less dense on dry or exposed sites[8]. Plants are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[10].
- Product or use
- Basketry
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- C. and S. Europe, N. Africa. Naturalized in Britain.
- Habitat
- Copses and hedgerows in S. England[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring just before active growth commences[20], or in autumn[1]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 5 - 10 cm long, October in a cold frame. Roots quickly. High percentage[20].
Cultivation
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil[9] but prefers those that are on the richer side[4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant but they do not flower so well in deep shade[2][14][15]. They grow well under deciduous trees[5], and in such a situation can succeed in dry soils[7]. Established plants are drought tolerant[7]. A very ornamental[1] and polymorphic plant[9], there are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[5]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[12]. This species rarely if ever sets seed in Britain[16]. It spreads rapidly by long trailing stems that root at their tips and leaf nodes, it can be invasive[16][13]. Once it is established it will swamp out smaller plants[16].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9
Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00