-Plants (Kingdom Plantae)

-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)

-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)

-Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)

-Gentians, Dogbanes, Madders, and Allies (Order Gentianales)

-Dogbane Family (Family Apocynaceae)

-Subfamily Rauvolfioideae

-Periwinkles, Devil Peppers and Kin (Tribe Vinceae)

-Subtribe Catharanthinae

-Periwinkle (Genus Catharanthus)

-Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

Catharanthus roseus, commonly called periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle or annual vinca, is an erect to spreading tender perennial in the dogbane family. It is grown in gardens and parks worldwide and it has escaped from cultivation and naturalized near houses, in disturbed sites, and in natural habitats in seasonal dry and humid habitats. Flower colour is usually soft rose-pink or occasionally, mauve.