Blue Periwinkle - introduced (*Vinca major)

Family: Apocynaceae (Periwinkle family).

Native of the Mediterranean region.

Occurrence: An environmental weed. Blue Periwinkle is a widespread weed in Australia, and there are some dense infestations in the local area. It particularly favours shady damp places, but can grow in full sun.

Identification:

• the leaves are a glossy dark green, and are paler on the lower surface
• the leaves are in opposite pairs
• the flowers are tubular, and have to 5 petals
• a clump of periwinkle may be many metres across.

It is a widely planted garden species, and most infestations probably come from dumping of garden refuse. Blue Periwinkle forms dense mats that exclude other vegetation. It can form new roots when stems touch the ground.

Photo 1, 2, 3: Blue Periwinkle. Froomes Road. 4: Forest Creek.