Vinca/Myrtle Traditional Cache

Vinca, Myrtle or Periwinkle is a beautiful groundcover, especially in early spring when it's in full bloom. It does have a tendency to spread. Sometimes you can find it in the deep woods, indication of earlier habitation. Please BYOP and check the bottom of the page for cache info.

Vinca/Myrtle

Vinca minor (common names lesser periwinkle or dwarf periwinkle) is a species of flowering plant native to central and southern Europe, from Portugal and France north to the Netherlands and the Baltic States, east to the Caucasus, and also southwestern Asia in Turkey. Other vernacular names used in cultivation include small periwinkle, common periwinkle, and sometimes in the United States, myrtle or creeping myrtle.

Description

Vinca minor is a trailing, viny subshrub, spreading along the ground and rooting along the stems to form large clonal colonies and occasionally scrambling up to 40 centimetres (16 in) high but never twining or climbing. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 2–4.5 centimetres (0.79–1.77 in) long and 1–2.5 centimetres (0.39–0.98 in) broad, glossy dark green with a leathery texture and an entire margin.

The flowers are solitary in the leaf axils and are produced mainly from early spring to mid summer but with a few flowers still produced into the autumn; they are violet-purple (pale purple or white in some cultivated selections), 2–3 centimetres (0.79–1.18 in) diameter, with a five-lobed corolla. The fruit is a pair of follicles 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) long, containing numerous seeds.

The closely related species Vinca major is similar, but larger in all parts, and also has relatively broader leaves with a hairy margin.

Cultivation

The species is commonly grown as a groundcover in temperate gardens for its evergreen foliage, spring and summer flowers, ease of culture, and dense habit that smothers most weeds. It was once commonly planted in cemeteries in parts of the American South and naturalized periwinkle may indicate the presence of graves whose other markers have disappeared.

The species has few pests or diseases outside its native range and is widely naturalised and classified as an invasive species in parts of North America. Invasion can be restricted by removal of rooting stems in spring. Once established, it is difficult to eradicate, as its waxy leaves shed most water-based herbicide sprays. Removal involves cutting, followed by immediate application of concentrated glyphosate or triclopyr to the cut stems. Repeated chemical treatments may be necessary, along with digging up the roots where feasible.

Cultivars

There are numerous cultivars, with different flower colors and variegated foliage. Many have a less vigorous habit than the species, and are therefore more suitable for smaller gardens. The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

Medicinal use: chemical constituents

Vinca minor contains more than 50 alkaloids, including vincamine.

Vinpocetine (brand names: Cavinton, Intelectol; chemical name: ethyl apovincaminate) is a semisynthetic derivative alkaloid of vincamine.

Color

The color name periwinkle is derived from the flower.

Overview

Appearance

Vinca minor is a vine-like erect or trailing groundcover; mostly evergreen; stems slender.

Foliage

Leaves are opposite, dark green, glossy, oval to lance-shaped, thick-textured; may be variegated.

Flowers

Flowers are blue, lavender or white, about 1 in. (2.5 cm) across, five petals blunt at tip, arranged in spiral; blooms in springtime.

Fruit

No fruits or seeds typically. Spreads vegetatively through rhizomes.

Ecological Threat

Vinca minor has escaped cultivation and is invading natural areas throughout the eastern U.S. It inhabits open to shady sites including forests and often escapes from old homesites. Vinca minor grows vigorously and forms dense and extensive mats along the forest floor, displacing native herbaceous and woody plant species. Vinca minor was first introduced into North America in the 1700s as an ornamental. It is still commonly sold as an ornamental ground cover.

The cache is a tied in, camoed, big "micro" pill bottle that needs to be pushed hard to open and close. As usual it holds only a rolled log with a rubber band in a tiny zipped plastic bag. Please put it back as you found it, including the camo. Comments about the cache condition are always appreciated. Don't forget to BYOP!