A light-pink Catharanthus roseus flower has five broad lobes around a magenta eye and small cream-yellow center

Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle)


Native to Madagascar, this evergreen perennial herb or small shrub in the dogbane family grows about 1 to 3 feet tall. Glossy, paired leaves accompany five-lobed flowers in white, pink, red, or purple, often with a contrasting center. It can flower year-round in hot climates and is grown as an annual where winters are cold. Its alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine are used in cancer medicines; the plant itself is poisonous if eaten. It self-seeds and has naturalized widely, becoming an environmental weed in parts of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. Photographed in Colombia and Florida.

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A red Catharanthus roseus flower has broad overlapping lobes and a white eye with a yellow center among glossy leaves
Two pale Catharanthus roseus flowers have magenta eyes and rounded lobes above shiny green leaves
A rose-red Catharanthus roseus flower has a small white eye above leaves with pale midribs
Three bright pink Catharanthus roseus flowers have narrow separated lobes and white rings around yellow centers
A red Catharanthus roseus flower and unopened bud rise above narrow green leaves
A pale Catharanthus roseus flower has a red-magenta eye beside a partly opened bud
A pink-violet Catharanthus roseus flower has broad textured lobes and a dark magenta ring around its cream center
A pink Catharanthus roseus flower has a deep pink eye and curled lobe edges beside buds
Dark burgundy Catharanthus roseus flowers have curled edges and red-white eyes amid green leaves
Two white Catharanthus roseus flowers have pink eyes and overlapping rounded lobes above green foliage
Several violet-pink Catharanthus roseus flowers have narrow lobes and small cream-yellow centers
A red Catharanthus roseus flower has five broad lobes around a small white and yellow center
A magenta Catharanthus roseus flower with separated lobes stands beside a tapered flower bud
Two very pale pink Catharanthus roseus flowers have bright red eyes above leaves with pale veins

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