Description

• Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle, is an evergreen perennial subshrub in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It has glossy, oval leaves with prominent pale midribs and five-petalled flowers that are typically pink, white, or rose-purple, often with a contrasting central eye. The plant produces slender seed pods and contains toxic alkaloids. Some of these compounds have important medicinal uses, although the plant itself should not be consumed.

Range

• Catharanthus roseus is native to Madagascar and has been widely introduced and naturalized throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is commonly cultivated and grows in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• This heat-tolerant plant thrives in sunny, warm environments, including gardens, roadsides, open scrub, and disturbed ground. It tolerates drought once established and grows best in well-drained soil. In tropical climates, it can flower for much of the year and is widely planted as an ornamental ground cover or bedding plant.