periwinkles

genus Vinca

Member of european periwinkles (subtribe Vincinae)
dogbane family (family Apocynaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)

There are no other wild species of this genus in California.

greater periwinkle
Vinca major

corolla 3–5 cm wide
leaf blade ± 7 cm

leaf blade base is broader than the tip

common throughout the bay area

photo

lesser periwinkle
Vinca minor

corolla 2–3 cm wide
leaf 2–4.5 cm long

leaf blade base is rounded about the same as the tip

scattered sparsely throughout the bay area, generally near civilization

Toxicity of all lower-level taxons:
4 – Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to the heart, liver, kidneys or brain. If ingested in any amount, call the poison center immediately.

1 observed taxon / 1 unobserved taxon / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 29 (all are research grade)

Locations:

Stevens Creek CP: 4
Calero CP: 3
Mt. Madonna SP: 3
San Pedro Valley CP: 3
Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP: 2
Almaden Quicksilver CP
Alum Rock Park, San Jose
Bear Creek Redwoods OSP
Butano SP
Cupertino, CA
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve
Garrapata SP
Nisene Marks SP
Picchetti Ranch OSP
Pleasanton Ridge RP
Saratoga, CA
Sibley Volcanic RP
Waterdog Lake & Open Space
Wunderlich CP

Months:

Nov.: 1
Dec.: 0
Jan.: 1
Feb.: 3
Mar.: 8
Apr.: 5
May: 5
Jun.: 1
Jul.: 3
Aug.: 2

For more details, use advanced search.

Not all sites include this taxon:

genus Vinca → iNaturalist – Calflora – Jepson eFlora
not yet listed → FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora