This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Vinca minor
  • Lesser Periwinkle

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

Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Vinca minor has 0 material uses listed
Vinca minor has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Large quantities of the plant are poisonous[1][2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Vinca minor.

Material uses

The stems are used in basket making[3]. A very good ground cover for covering steep banks and shady places, spreading rapidly once established and forming a dense cover within 2 years[4][5][6][7][8]. It is less dense on dry or exposed sites[9]. Plants are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[10].

Unknown part

Basketry

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant is sedative and tonic[11][12][13]. 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[3]. 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[3]. 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[3]. The root is antispasmodic and hypotensive[3][1]. It is used to lower the blood pressure[1]. The root is gathered in the autumn and dried for later use[3]. 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].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Astringent
Bitter
Detergent
Homeopathy
Hypotensive
Sedative
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[17], or in autumn[18]. 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[17].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Vinca minor. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil[8] but prefers those that are on the richer side[19]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant but they do not flower so well in deep shade[4][5][6]. It grows well under deciduous trees[20], and in such a position it can succeed in dry soils[7]. Established plants are drought tolerant[7].

A very ornamental[18] and polymorphic plant[8], there are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[20]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[21].

This species rarely if ever sets seed in Britain[16]. It spreads rapidly by long trailing and rooting stems once it is established and will swamp out smaller plants[16].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Vinca minor. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Vinca minor.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Vinca minor
Genus
Vinca
Family
Apocynaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[11][12][13][14][15][3][1][16]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Botanic
[4][19][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
0.2 x 1 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
  2. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.7 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0-900629-78-9 (1980-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. ISBN 0-304-31089-1 (1989-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
  13. ? 13.013.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  14. ? 14.014.1 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  20. ? 20.020.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  21. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-13" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Vinca_minor&oldid=81698"
Facts about "Vinca minor"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyApocynaceae +
Belongs to genusVinca +
Functions asGround cover +
Has binomial nameVinca minor +
Has common nameLesser Periwinkle +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeBees +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has hardiness zone4 +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useBasketry +
Has mature height0.2 +
Has mature width1 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Astringent +, Bitter +, Detergent +, Homeopathy +, Hypotensive +, Sedative +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
Has search namevinca minor + and lesser periwinkle +
Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameVinca minor +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Vinca minor +, Vinca minor +, Vinca minor +, Vinca minor +, Vinca minor +, Vinca minor +, Vinca minor +, Vinca minor +, Vinca minor + and Vinca minor +