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Small Periwinkle, Common Periwinkle, Dwarf Periwinkle, Lesser Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle - Vinca minor


Family: Apocynaceae - Dogbane family Genus Common Name: Periwinkle Native Status: IntroducedDicot Perennial Vine Herb
Vinca minor - Small Periwinkle, Common Periwinkle, Dwarf Periwinkle, Lesser Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle. This plant, introduced from central and southern Europe, can be weedy or invasive. It is an an attractive groundcover, which is the reason it made its way to the United States and is so widespread.

Found in:
AL, AR, AZ, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Vinca minor

Distribution of Vinca minor in the United States and Canada:
USDA Map temporarily unavailable.
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 16 Jan 2025). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

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Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2011-March-19Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
The color of the blossom is where the color name periwinkle originated. The blossom has five lobes to the corolla, with a bit of a twist to them.
Vinca minor
Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2011-March-19Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Vinca minor and its very similar big brother Vinca major can form carpets with attractive blue and occasionally white flowers. They are frequently found naturalized in remote locations where old homesteads once stood.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Vinca minor
References used for identification and information:
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Vinca minor initially published on USWildflowers.com 2011-11-10; Updated 2015-06-25

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