Madagascan Periwinkle

Common Name: Madagascan Periwinkle

Scientific Name: Catharanthus roseus

Origin: Madagascar

Family: Apocynaceae

Bloom time: Early Summer

As an ornamental plant, this Madagascan native is appreciated for its hardiness and its long flowering period in tropical conditions. Though the sap is toxic to humans, the chemotherapy medications vinblastine and vincristine are found in Catharanthus roseus.