Blue Periwinkle (weed)

Vinca major

COMMON NAME : Blue Periwinkle

BOTANICAL NAME : Vinca major

FAMILY : Apocynaceae

PLANT GROUP : Weeds

SIZE : Prostrate

LOCAL NOTES:

Introduced as an ornamental plant in the region, but with South Gippsland's high rainfall and seasonally moist soils, it has spread to become invasive in many settings, including along Stockyard Creek in Foster, in the Banksia Woodland area of Shallow Inlet, and in many residential blocks in Sandy Point township.

Its leaves and stems forms dense mats preventing any indigenous plant regeneration and suffocating all ground flora.

It has a lilac blue flower.

In areas at Shallow Inlet where successful removal of plants has taken place, vigilant monitoring and removal of regrowth is required. Where the indigenous plant seed bank has been exhausted over many years beneath infestations, new plantings of indigenous species are required to enhance slow natural regeneration.

In Sandy Point township careful disposal of vegetative material in green kerbside bins is important to prevent spread beyond the initial area.

Contributor: HB

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