Wildflowers of the United States
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Bigleaf Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle - Vinca major


Family: Apocynaceae – Dogbane family Genus Common Name: Periwinkle Native Status: Introduced
Vinca major - Bigleaf Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle. Periwinkle, both Vinca major and Vinca minor are introduced species which escaped from gardens and have become fairly widely naturalized. V. major has larger leaves than V. minor as well as a larger blossom. V. Minor blossom is usually an inch across or smaller, while V. major may be 1.5 to 2 inches wide.
Distribution of Vinca major in the United States and Canada:
USDA Plants Distribution Map
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 09 Sep 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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Site: Pigeon Mountain - East Date: 2010-March-30Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson f/3.2 ISO100
Bigleaf Periwinkle has dark green glossy, opposite leaves on a plant to 18 inches high, with a blue/lavender blossom.
Vinca major

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2010
Photographs Copyrighted by the named photographer


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