Greater periwinkle (Vinca major)
Tracheophyte: Angiosperm: Dicot: Dogbane (Apocynaceae)
Non-native from Europe
Habitat: full shade sites.
ID Features: ground cover plant, small hairy-edged leaves, blue flowers.
Natural History: Greater periwinkle is an invasive species of ground cover that grows on the forest floor in many suburban areas. It is commonly purchased as a ground cover from garden centers and planted around homes, only to escape to forested areas. It produces blue flowers. The genus Vinca is known for producing alkaloids, a few of which have important anti-cancer properties: vinblastine and vincristine.
