Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Apocynaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Erect herb to 50 cm tall, producing a clear latex when cut; stems cylindrical and pubescent. Leaf blades 2-7 x 0.8-2.2 cm, elliptic or oblanceolate, membranous to chartaceous, sparsely pubescent, the apex rounded, obtuse and apiculate; the base tapering, the margins entire or crenulate; petiole 4-7 mm long, pubescent. Flowers nearly sessile, paired at leaf axils. Calyx bellshaped, 5-6 mm long, lobes 3-4 mm long, awl-shaped; corolla pink or white, 2.5-3.5 cm long, the lobes 1.5-3 cm long, rounded; anthers 5-6 mm long; stigma capitate. Follicle 1-3 cm long, pubescent, with many ribs lengthwise. Seeds ca. 2 mm long, oblong-ellipsoid, black, sculptured.
Distribution and Ecology - Introduced as an ornamental, now escaped; widespread along the sandy coasts. East End (A4224). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Tortola; native to Madagascar, cultivated in tropical and subtemperate zones, becoming naturalized throughout the tropics.
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Discussion
Common names: church flower, periwinkle.