Cooperative Weed Management Area
  • Riparian Strategy
  • Management Units
    • North Hood Canal Region
    • Mid Hood Canal Region
    • South Hood Canal Region
    • Skokomish Region
    • West Kitsap Region
  • Invasive Weeds
    • High Priority Weeds
    • Weeds of Concern
    • Invasive Weed Map
  • Resources
  • Search
  • Menu

Periwinkle

Botanical Name:

Vinca minor

Monitor List

General

  • Native to Europe.
  • Not listed as a noxious weed in Washington – on monitor list.

Identification

  • Periwinkle is a trailing, evergreen groundcover with dark green opposite leaves.
  • Flowers March-May.
  • Leaves are opposite, dark green, glossy, oval to lance-shaped, thick-textured; may be variegated.
  • Flowers are blue, lavender or white, about 1 in. (2.5 cm) across, five petals blunt at tip, arranged in spiral.
  • No fruits or seeds typically.
  • Spreads vegetatively through rhizomes.
  • The thin, wiry stems sprawl over the ground, and produce a milky sap when broken.

Photos

Habitat

  • Disturbed forest understory and edge, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed areas at low elevations.

Reproduction and Spread

  • Spreads primarily by underground rhizomes, and stolons that root at the tips.

Control

  • Can be controlled through manual and cultural methods.
  • Small infestations can be pulled or dug, although control will need to be repeated, as resprouting will occur.
  • Regular mowing may inhibit the plant but will not eradicate it.
  • If this plant is used in a landscape, it should be planted in a contained area, such as one surrounded by concrete.
Back to Weed List

Scroll to top