Taxonomic name: Vinca major L.
Synonyms: Vinca major L. var. variegata Loud.
Common names: bigleaf periwinkle (English-United States), blue periwinkle (English-Australia), greater periwinkle (English), large periwinkle (English-United States), periwinkle (English-United States)
Organism type: herb Vinca major is introduced to new locations usually as an ornamental or medicinal herb. It spreads locally from dumped garden waste, plant fragments carried downstream and as a garden escape along shady corridors. It grows most vigorously in moist shady areas in forests, along streams and urban areas. Once established the herb competes with native vegetation by smothering all native groundcover vegetation and preventing the regeneration of trees and shrubs. Vinca major is a serious threat to the understorey of forested areas and streamside vegetation. Description
Vinca major is a perennial, evergreen herb with erect flowering stems (0.25-0.5m long) and trailing non-flowering stems (1m long) that roots at the node. The stems contain a milky latex and shiny, dark green leaves that are 2-3cm long, opposite, round ovate, and pinnately (having parts arranged on each side of a common axis) veined. The leaves have hairs 0.1-0.4mm long along the edges and the midribs on the upper surface. The flowers are blue to violet, 2-5cm diameter and made up of five equally sized petals (Bean and Russo, 2003). Similar Species
Vinca minor
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Occurs in:
natural forests, riparian zones, urban areas Habitat description
ESC (UNDATED) states that, “moist shady situations will produce thickest growth”. It commonly occurs along riverbanks, on silty alluvial soils, but may also appear around the edges of towns, in cemeteries and anywhere where garden refuse is dumped. Bailey (1914, in Bean and Russo, 2003) describes V. major as being able to, “grow in the deepest shade, even in poor soil”. However, “V. major grows most vigorously in moist soil with only partial sun”. According to Stearn (1973, in Bean and Russo, 2003) and Muenscher (1955, in Bean and Russo, 2003) hot, dry, or cold weather can cause the herb to die back temporarily. V. major is most commonly found around lawns, roadsides, cemeteries, and shaded waste places in moist rich soil where it has escaped. According to Bean and Russo, it often spreads from old home sites and due to it’s shade requirement, often grows in patches around the bases of trees and around drainages where dense cover is available. According to CCSER (UNDATED), V. major, “does better in moist areas, especially on ephemeral or permanent creeklines and river channels”. General impacts
According to Bailey (1914, in Bean and Russo, 2003) and McClintock (1985, in Bean and Russo, 2003), Vinca major forms dense stands that exclude other herbs and creates a problem in areas where it competes with native herbs. According to CCSER (UNDATED), “this species is a particular threat to the understory of riverine vegetation as it will spread from plant fragments carried by high flows”. According to ESC (UNDATED), V. major, “forms dense mats which smother all native groundcover vegetation and prevent regeneration of trees and shrubs. This can have important long term consequences on streambanks, where the eventual loss of native tree and shrub cover could lead to erosion”. Uses
According to Schittler (1973, in Bean and Russo, 2003), V. major, “has been introduced to many continents as a medicinal herb and subsequently as an ornamental ground cover.” Geographical range
Native range: Mediterranean basin (Bean and Russo, 2003)
Known introduced range: Australia (CCSER, UNDATED) and the United States (NRCS, UNDATED) Introduction pathways to new locations
Floating vegetation/debris: High flood waters carry plant fragments downstream (ESC UNDATED)
For ornamental purposes: V. major is commonly sold as an ornamental (Bean and Russo, 2003)
Landscape/fauna "improvement": V. major is planted as an ornamental ground cover (Bean Russo, 2003).
Other: V. major is introduced to new locations as a medicinal herb (Bean and Russo 2003).
Local dispersal methods
Agriculture (local): V. major is commonly sold as an ornamental (Bean and Russo, 2003)
For ornamental purposes (local): V. major is commonly sold as an ornamental (Bean and Russo, 2003)
Garden escape/garden waste: "The most common means of spread is by vegetative material being dumped in garden refuse" (CCSER, UNDATED).
On animals (local): "Seed dispersal by wind has been recorded in warmer climates" (CCSER, UNDATED).
Water currents: High flood waters carry plant fragments downstream (ESC UNDATED) Management information
Physical: Muenscher (1955, in Bean and Russo, 2003) recommends manual removal by raising the runners with a rake, mowing them down close to the ground, or digging them out by hand.
Chemical: According to CCSER (undated), “removal of stolons [the trailing branch that produces new plants from buds; a runner] by hand and spot spraying active growth with 0.25% triclopyr in water or 1% glyphosate in water” are effective control measures currently used. According to Bean and Russo (2003), the most effective chemical controls are paraquat and Goal, which contain the active ingredient oxyflurfen. Other chemicals that have been proven effective are 2,4-D, 2,3,6-TBA, and Fenuron. Reproduction
According to Bailey (1914, in Bean and Russo 2003), “the best means of propagating is by division or by cuttings, as the seeds rarely mature”. Lifecycle stages
Flowering occurs in the spring and summer in Australia (CCSER, UNDATED). Reviewed by: Dr. Barry Rice, Invasive Species Specialist
Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Wednesday, 16 November 2005
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