Practical
Plants

Vinca minor

Lesser Periwinkle

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Vinca genus in the family Apocynaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Vinca
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
0.2 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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Large quantities of the plant are poisonous[7][20].

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is sedative and tonic[12][19][4]. It contains the alkaloid 'vincamine', which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator[14]. Since the discovery of vincamine in the leaves, the plant has been used herbally to treat arteriosclerosis and for dementia due to insufficient blood supply to the brain[15]. The leaves are bitter, detergent and stomachic[21]. Taken internally, they are used in the treatment of internal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding and nosebleeds[15]. When crushed and applied to wounds they have astringent and healing properties[21]. A mouthwash is used to treat gingivitis, sore throats and mouth ulcers[15]. The leaves are gathered in the spring and dried for later use[21]. The root is antispasmodic and hypotensive[21][7]. It is used to lower the blood pressure[7]. The root is gathered in the autumn and dried for later use[21]. The fresh flowers are gently purgative, but lose their effect on drying[18]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[18]. It is used in the treatment of haemorrhages[18].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Detergent
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stems are used in basket making[21]. 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][16][17][8][10]. It is less dense on dry or exposed sites[9]. Plants are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[11].

Product or use
Basketry

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Europe, possibly also including Britain, from Denmark south and east to Spain and W. Asia.
Habitat
Fields, woodland edges, copses and hedgerows[21][3][5]. Ash and oak-hornbeam woods on better soils in central Europe[5].
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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[22], 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[22].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil[10] but prefers those that are on the richer side[5]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant but they do not flower so well in deep shade[2][16][17]. It grows well under deciduous trees[6], and in such a position it can succeed in dry soils[8]. Established plants are drought tolerant[8]. A very ornamental[1] and polymorphic plant[10], there are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[13]. This species rarely if ever sets seed in Britain[18]. It spreads rapidly by long trailing and rooting stems once it is established and will swamp out smaller plants[18].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  13. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

    ↩1↩2

  17. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩1↩2

  18. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  19. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩

  20. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  21. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  22. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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