Pink periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus, Fam. Apocynaceae
Perennial herb or sub-shrub 0.6-1m tall with white milky sap.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Herb, Shrub |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Opposite Simple opposite oval, 25-90 x 10-35mm, leathery glossy dark green. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Pink |
| Flower description: | Slender tubular with 5 spreading lobes; dark pink or white and darker in the centre. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Fruit colour: | |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Paired dry cylindrical follicles, 20-40 x 3mm; with numerous black oblong seeds 20-25mm long. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic if ingested, irritant sap, toxic or irritant to domestic pets, toxic to native animals |
| Origin: | Madagascar |
| Notes: | Spread by: garden waste, water and wind over short distance. Invades: disturbed areas, pest of some agricultural systems (eg sugar cane) and has the ability to invade everywhere except rainforest and wetlands. Notes: garden escapee, particularly common in coastal areas in this region. All parts of the plant are poisonous. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
