The Vinca

Did you know that Periwinkles make up the genus Vinca, of the family Apocynaceae? The lesser periwinkle is classified as Vinca minor and the greater periwinkle as Vinca major. Periwinkle (plant), is the common name for herbs in a genus of the dogbane family. The leaves are opposite and evergreen. The flowers grow singly or in pairs from the axils of the leaves. The  lesser periwinkle is a native of many parts of Europe, growing in  woods and thickets. The greater periwinkle, which has much  larger flowers and ovatocordate, or egg-shaped, leaves, is a native of southern Europe. Periwinkles are the source of alkaloids  that are often used to treat cancer.