Blue Periwinkle

Common Name: Blue Periwinkle

Scientific Name: Vinca major

Native to: Central and Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Periwinkle is considered environmental weed in southern Australia.

What does it look like: Periwinkle is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for three years or longer. It is also an evergreen plant, meaning that its leaves stay green in every season. It grows outwards each year to cover the ground. Periwinkle has long stems with glossy green leaves and flowers from early spring into summer. The flowers are primarily blue-purple and composed of five pinwheel-like petals. 

Why is it a weed: Blue Periwinkle is a weed because it grows too fast, especially in moist habitats, and forms a thick ‘mat’ that covers the ground. When it does this, Blue Periwinkle competes with native plants for water, light, and nutrients in the ground and stops native vegetation from growing. 

STEM Fun Fact: Blue Periwinkle is poisonous to livestock like sheep, cows, and horses, if they eat it.