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Periwinkle plants(Vinca spp . ) , also known as Vinca , are evergreen creeping flowering plants belonging to the Apocynaceae family and the Desert Rose and Mandevilla vine .
These creeping flowering plants are native to areas in Europe and Africa . The fruits are dry capsule that split into 2 sides ; these would get on in recent summer and descent , but fortunately , in North America , this species rarely develop matured fruits .

Numerous mintage of Catharanthus roseus are grown as decorative houseplants or garden vines and are widely popular for their ground cover , shiny green leaf , and small , funnel shape - corresponding fragrant blooms , each with five petals .
They also grow well on shaded slope , under trees and shrubs , for erosion restraint on banks , and window boxes and planters .
The three most vulgar species of Periwinkle plants are :
Which was formerly known as Vinca rosea .
This gentle - to - produce periwinkle flower is stalwart in the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) zones 6 through 10 .
They also become established in woodlands and upland forests .
These low - lying , herbaceous perennial favour partial shade or full sunlight and ample moisture in the territory , particularly during hot , ironical weather .
These plants spread rapidly and supply a dense carpet of sorry green leaf with sheeny moody dark-green leave-taking .
The beautiful ellipse or heart - shaped folio develop up to 2 ” to 3 ” inch in length .
The leaves grow in pairs along the stem .
Vinca rosea plants bring on beautiful spring flowers from April to May , which continue to adorn the garden during the summertime .
These fragrant , gorgeous flowers rebel above the plushy leaf and add vivacious spring colours to the setting .
farm in a range of hue , including pink , reddish blue , naughty , lavender , and purple flower . Each flower is up to 2 ” inches in sizing and has five showy petals .
Is Periwinkle Poisonous?
People often ask this interrogative sentence . Is periwinkle edible ?
Periwinkle , also known as Vinca , is a pop ornamental plant , but certain species are also used for culinary intention .
The periwinkle works itself is not comestible , but the small , snail - mould edible snails commonly found in coastal surface area are sometimes predict “ periwinkle . ”
These edible periwinkle snails are often cooked and consumed in various bag , particularly in coastal realm .
Is periwinkle venomous to humans ?
Not all varieties out of the 30 species of Periwinkle plant are poisonous .
While Vinca major and nonaged rarely show mild perniciousness , Catharanthus rosea is a highly venomous variety .
This toxic periwinkle is also illustrious for its common names , such as :
Catharanthus roseus is regarded as a potentially toxic plant depending on the level of photograph and ingestion .
Is vinca poisonous to dogs or other pets ? These flower are equally toxic to humans , cats , pawl , and horse .
This periwinkle plant consists of genus Vinca alkaloids , which are sometimes used to train practice of medicine for people suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure level .
It contains alkaloid often used in chemotherapy for selective toxic condition of cancer cells in humans and animals .
Hence , have the Madagascar old maid in any way causes life-threatening poisoning in darling and side effect in humans .
What Parts Of The Periwinkle Plant Are Poisonous?
Is periwinkle toxicant to touch ?
All parts of the Periwinkle are poisonous .
These plant contain a wide range of of course occurring toxic alkaloid which cause toxic condition when ingested .
There are over 130 chemical compound found in these plants , such as vincristine and vinblastine , which impound themselves to the microtubule of the cells and vitiate their ability to divide .
This limit the development of the blood vessels in the body and impedes the production of microtubule .
Periwinkle is susceptible to dieback ( plant wilt and “ die back ” to the ground ) , due to fungal diseases . pestilence , which are sink , wounding - like lesions , may be visible on the stem near the terra firma line .
These alkaloid cause cell death .
Vinca rosea also check harmful saponins and other toxins like vindoline , vincamine , vincadifformine , akuammine , perivincine , reserpinine , and vinine .
The effects of all these alkaloid are not wholly known yet ; however , they are found to be hypotensive , which means consuming them would result in abnormally depressed blood pressure .
What Are The Symptoms Of Poisoning?
According to the Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas , consume Periwinkle plants can make symptoms depend on the amount consumed .
The symptoms in humans range from modest tummy cramps , cardiac complication , simplification in blood pressure , and even taxonomic palsy and death .
Since periwinkle plants are highly unappetizing , the animals unremarkably refrain from ware them in big quantities .
However , growing Catharanthus roseus as a houseplant put your furred friend at risk .
consort to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( ASPCA ) , symptom of Periwinkle poisoning in khat and dogs admit impression , deficiency of coordination , emesis , nausea , and diarrhea .
If the poisoning is more severe , your deary may see seizure , tremors , abnormally low-down blood insistence , anxiety , and shot .
While the poisoning is not fateful in most vitrine , it may result in reform-minded paralysis , coma , and even death in some rare case .
How To Protect Yourself While Handling Periwinkle Plant?
Periwinkle plants are safe to handle and may not harm when touched ; however , wash your hands exhaustively after pruning , cutting , or potting these works , as the toxin might have hang on your hands .
To keep inadvertent usance , periwinkle plants should not be grown in areas uncover to small children , like preschool garden , approachable home gardens , and down containers hold them as houseplants .
Supervise the children if taking them out in a park or any other public place that might have periwinkle plants .
Keep these flora out of the reach of the pet .
If you watch over any symptom in your hombre or dog , check for any plant remnant around their mouth and morsel marks on the plant .
readily get in touch with the local poison ascendence or look up the veterinary surgeon if your fauna show signs of poisoning .