Fauna
Plant

Greater Periwinkle

Vinca major

Also known as Bigleaf Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle, Blue Periwinkle

Greater periwinkle forms dense evergreen mats that carpet forest floors and garden beds with glossy green foliage. Its vibrant violet-blue, five-petaled blooms appear in early spring and continue sporadically through the summer months. Prostrate trailing stems root wherever nodes touch moist soil, allowing it to rapidly choke out native understory vegetation.

EvergreenGroundcoverFlowering
Greater Periwinkle reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Snails
ThreatsHabitat management and herbicide application in invasive ranges
HabitatsWoodlands, riparian corridors, shaded garden beds, disturbed areas
Life spanPerennial (indefinite via vegetative cloning)
Classification
  1. OrderGentianales
  2. FamilyApocynaceae
  3. GenusVinca
  4. SpeciesVinca major
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
All parts contain toxic alkaloids that cause illness if ingested; keep away from pets and livestock.
Why it is dangerous
Contains cytotoxic indole alkaloids such as vincamine, causing severe gastrointestinal distress, low blood pressure, and systemic toxicity if eaten.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by dark green opposite leaves, trailing woody runners, and distinct pinwheel-shaped blue-purple flowers.
What to do
Wear gloves when removing large stands to avoid sap contact, and ensure plant debris is discarded away from grazing animals.
Responsible observation
  • Identification: Look for opposite, glossy, heart-shaped leaves with fine hairs along the leaf margins.
  • Containment: Prune trailing vines aggressively near garden boundaries to prevent escape into local waterways.
Related species
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