Vinca Major, Greater Periwinkle





Vinca major can be distinguished from vinca minor by its thinner, hair-lined calyx lobes (vs shorter and hairless), its ciliate leaves, and by the petal tips, which are pointed rather than flat.

Common name:
Greater periwinkle
Scientific name:
Vinca major
Main flower color:
Range:
Most of Ireland, Wales and England, and southern Scotland. A naturalised species
Height:
Up to 100 cm
Habitat:
Woodland, hedgerows
Flowers:
Purple; a tubular corolla with five spreading lobes, around twice as long as the tube, pointed (acute) at the tip. The calyx is divided into five very narrow lobes, lined with hairs
Leaves:
Opposite, dark green, shiny, with finely ciliate margins
Season:
March to May
Rarity:
★★★★★