Blue Periwinkle

BUSH INVADER

Vinca major

family: APOCYNACEAE

Description

  • Spreading perennial groundcover from the Mediterranean. Strong trailing stems contain milky sap, and grow roots where they touch the soil. Tolerates a wide range of conditions.
  • The pointed oval leaves are dark, tough and shiny, 4-8 cm long. In some situations they have a yellowish tinge.
  • The flowers are five-petalled, violet to blue, appearing mainly in spring.
  • Develops a woody crown. Some seed is produced, but spreads mainly from runners.
  • The variegated and small forms are also weedy.

Dispersal

Blue Periwinkle is often dumped on bushland edges. It spreads from root and stem pieces rooting down or washing down watercourses, from dumped soil, and possibly also from seed.

Impact on Bushland

Forms a dense mat of vegetation, smothering and excluding native ground species. Opens the habitat to weed invasion by preventing the germination of native ground covers, shrubs and trees.

Distribution

Throughout the Blue Mountains.

Alternative Planting

Native Plants
Arthritis Plant, Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Matted Bush-pea (Pultanaea pedunculata)
Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stricta)
Native Violet (Viola hederacea)
Creeping Boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium)

Exotic alternatives
Convolvulus (Convolvulus mauritanica)
Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum cultivars)

Control

A tough plant, difficult to control.
Pull out all stems and dig out all roots.
Control erosion.
Do not mulch or compost: bag and send to tip.
Repeat as necessary.
Try cutting back, then spraying new growth.
Cover to exclude light - eg with old carpet.

Picture of Blue PeriwinkleBlue Periwinkle smothers and excludes native ground species, and opens up the habitat to weed invasion.

Picture of Blue Periwinkle leaves

The leaves of Blue Periwinkle are pointed, dark, tough and shiny.

Picture of Blue Periwinkle flower

Five-petalled flowers vary from deep violet to light blue.

Picture of Blue Periwinkle

Blue Periwinkle forms a dense mat of vegetation.