Vinca species - Periwinkles

Vinca, Periwinkles are introductions which have become widespread, naturalised in hedgerows and woodland edges. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, simple, entire with short petioles. The flowers arise from the leaf axils. There is a third species, not yet recorded in Lanarkshire which is like a robust Vinca minor with a 12-18mm corolla tube and the flowers are 30-45mm across and calyx lobes 5-14mm. Like Vinca minor it is glabrous.

Vinca minor Lesser Periwinkle has flowers with a 9-11mm corolla tube and the flowers are 25-30mm across. The leaf margins and edges of the 3-4mm long calyx lobes are glabrous.

Vinca major Greater Periwinkle has margin of leaves and calyx lobes minutely hairy 🔍x10. flowers with a mm corolla tube 12-15mm and the flowers are 30-55mm across and 7-17mm long calyx lobes.