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Madagascar Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus

Found in disturbed areas, northwards only persistent after cultivation or as a waif or "throw-out" after cultivation. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Mississippi. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
6 inches–1.5 feet
Spread
8–12 inches
Light
Dappled sunlight, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

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  • Allegheny-spurge
    Pachysandra procumbens

    Sun: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Pink or white.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Life cycle
Annual or perennial
Leaves
Semi-evergreen
Bloom
May to October

Recorded in 3 Mississippi counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Mississippi. Shared habitat, not food. 79 animals.

Widespread birds also seen here (24)

Found in many habitats here, so not listed above.

All wildlife of Mississippi

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including MS

Genus host records with ranges including MS · Vinca

  • Chloridea virescensTobacco Budworm Moth
  • Epiblema discretivanaDescriminating Epiblema
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
1BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Vinca

  • Phalacrocorax auritusDouble-crested Cormorant
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Apocynaceae
Hardiness
Zones 10a–11b
Soil pH
Acidic
Flower color
Yellow, pink, purple or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Cayenne Jasmine; Church Flower; Rosy Periwinkle; Vinca rosea; periwinkle

Conservation status

Mississippi rankSNA
Global rankGNR
MS statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources