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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Catharanthus roseus''
| image = Catharanthus roseus white CC-BY-SA.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
| familia = [[Apocynaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Catharanthus]]''
| species = '''''C. roseus'''''
| binomial = ''Catharanthus roseus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[George Don|G.Don]]
| synonyms =
''Vinca rosea''
}}
'''''Catharanthus roseus''''' ('''Madagascar Periwinkle''') is a species of ''[[Catharanthus]]'' native and [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Madagascar]]. Synonyms include ''Vinca rosea'' (the [[basionym]]), ''Ammocallis rosea'', and ''Lochnera rosea''; other English names occasionally used include Cape Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, Rosy Periwinkle, and "Old-maid".<ref name=fom>Flora of Madagascar: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=12&taxon_id=200018366 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref><ref name=grin>Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?70159 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref>
In the wild, it is an endangered plant; the main cause of decline is habitat destruction by [[slash and burn]] [[agriculture]].<ref name=dd>DrugDigest: [http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,4108,00.html ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref> It is also however widely cultivated and is [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] in subtropical and tropical areas of the world.<ref name=rhs/>
It is an [[evergreen]] [[subshrub]] or [[herbaceous]] plant growing to 1 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are oval to oblong, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–3.5 cm broad, glossy green, hairless, with a pale midrib and a short petiole 1–1.8 cm long; they are arranged in opposite pairs. The [[flower]]s are white to dark pink with a darker red centre, with a basal tube 2.5-3 cm long and a [[corolla]] 2–5 cm diameter with five petal-like lobes. The [[fruit]] is a pair of [[follicle (fruit)|follicles]] 2–4 cm long and 3 mm broad.<ref name=foc>Flora of China: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200018366 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref><ref name=com>College of Micronesia: [http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/botany/1999/vhp/rosnak01.html ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref><ref name=rhs>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.</ref><ref name=jeps>Jepson Flora: [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?553,559,560 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref>
==Cultivation and uses==
[[Image:Catharanthus roseus.jpg|left|thumb|''Catharanthus roseus'' cultivated in [[Brazil]] as a garden plant]]
The species has long been cultivated for [[herbal medicine]] and as an [[ornamental plant]].
In [[traditional Chinese medicine]], extracts from it have been used to treat numerous diseases, including [[diabetes]], [[malaria]] and [[Hodgkin's disease]].<ref name=foc/> The substances [[vinblastine]] and [[vincristine]] extracted from the plant are used in the treatment of [[leukaemia]].<ref name=dd/>
This conflict between historical [[indigenous]] use, and recent [[patents]] on ''C.roseus''-derived drugs by [[western]] [[pharmaceutical]] companies, without compensation, has led to accusations of [[biopiracy]].<ref name= Karasov>{{cite journal | author=Karasov, C.| title=Who Reaps the Benefits of Biodiversity? | journal= Environmental Health Perspectives | year=2001 | volume= 109| issue= 12| pages= A582-A587 | url= http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0091-6765%28200112%29109%3A12%3CA582%3AWRTBOB%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1}}</ref>
It can be dangerous if consumed orally.<ref name=dd/> It can be [[hallucinogenic plant|hallucinogenic]], and is cited (under its synonym ''Vinca rosea'') in the [[Louisiana State Act 159]].
As an ornamental plant, it is appreciated for its hardiness in dry and nutritionally deficient conditions, popular in subtropical [[garden]]s where temperatures never fall below 5 °C to 7 °C, and as a warm-season [[bedding plant]] in temperate gardens. It is noted for its long flowering period, throughout the year in tropical conditions, and from spring to late autumn in warm temperate climates. Full sun and well-drained soil are preferred. Numerous [[cultivar]]s have been selected, for variation in flower colour (white, mauve, peach, scarlet and reddish-orange), and also for tolerance of cooler growing conditions in temperate regions. Notable cultivars include 'Albus' (white flowers), 'Grape Cooler' (rose-pink; cool-tolerant), the Ocellatus Group (various colours), and 'Peppermint Cooler' (white with a red centre; cool-tolerant).<ref name=rhs/>
''C. roseus'' is used in [[plant pathology]] as an experimental [[host (biology)|host]] for [[phytoplasma]]s.<ref>C. Marcone, A. Ragozzino, E. Seemuller (1997)
Dodder transmission of alder yellows phytoplasma to the experimental host Catharanthus roseus (periwinkle) Forest Pathology 27 (6), 347–350.</ref> This is because it is easy to infect with a large majority of phytoplasmas, and also often has very distinctive symptoms such as [[phyllody]] and significantly reduced [[leaf]] size.<ref>Chung-Jan Chang. Pathogenicity of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma and Spiroplasma citri on Periwinkle. Presented at the 89th Annual Meeting of The American Phytopathological Society
August 12, 1997, Rochester, NY</ref>
==Alkaloids==
*[[Vincristine]],<ref name="botany.hawaii">[http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/bot442/36PsychoactivePlantsII.pdf www.botany.hawaii.edu]</ref> used in cancer [[chemotherapy]].
*[[Vinblastine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
*[[Reserpine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
*[[Ibogaine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
*[[Yohimbine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{eol|16496926}}
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Catharanthus roseus''
| image = Catharanthus roseus white CC-BY-SA.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
| familia = [[Apocynaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Catharanthus]]''
| species = '''''C. roseus'''''
| binomial = ''Catharanthus roseus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[George Don|G.Don]]
| synonyms =
''Vinca rosea''
}}
'''''Catharanthus roseus''''' ('''Madagascar Periwinkle''') is a species of ''[[Catharanthus]]'' native and [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Madagascar]]. Synonyms include ''Vinca rosea'' (the [[basionym]]), ''Ammocallis rosea'', and ''Lochnera rosea''; other English names occasionally used include Cape Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, Rosy Periwinkle, and "Old-maid".<ref name=fom>Flora of Madagascar: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=12&taxon_id=200018366 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref><ref name=grin>Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?70159 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref>
In the wild, it is an endangered plant; the main cause of decline is habitat destruction by [[slash and burn]] [[agriculture]].<ref name=dd>DrugDigest: [http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,4108,00.html ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref> It is also however widely cultivated and is [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] in subtropical and tropical areas of the world.<ref name=rhs/>
It is an [[evergreen]] [[subshrub]] or [[herbaceous]] plant growing to 1 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are oval to oblong, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–3.5 cm broad, glossy green, hairless, with a pale midrib and a short petiole 1–1.8 cm long; they are arranged in opposite pairs. The [[flower]]s are white to dark pink with a darker red centre, with a basal tube 2.5-3 cm long and a [[corolla]] 2–5 cm diameter with five petal-like lobes. The [[fruit]] is a pair of [[follicle (fruit)|follicles]] 2–4 cm long and 3 mm broad.<ref name=foc>Flora of China: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200018366 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref><ref name=com>College of Micronesia: [http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/botany/1999/vhp/rosnak01.html ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref><ref name=rhs>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.</ref><ref name=jeps>Jepson Flora: [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?553,559,560 ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref>
==Cultivation and uses==
[[Image:Catharanthus roseus.jpg|left|thumb|''Catharanthus roseus'' cultivated in [[Brazil]] as a garden plant]]
The species has long been cultivated for [[herbal medicine]] and as an [[ornamental plant]].
In [[traditional Chinese medicine]], extracts from it have been used to treat numerous diseases, including [[diabetes]], [[malaria]] and [[Hodgkin's disease]].<ref name=foc/> The substances [[vinblastine]] and [[vincristine]] extracted from the plant are used in the treatment of [[leukaemia]].<ref name=dd/>
This conflict between historical [[indigenous]] use, and recent [[patents]] on ''C.roseus''-derived drugs by [[western]] [[pharmaceutical]] companies, without compensation, has led to accusations of [[biopiracy]].<ref name= Karasov>{{cite journal | author=Karasov, C.| title=Who Reaps the Benefits of Biodiversity? | journal= Environmental Health Perspectives | year=2001 | volume= 109| issue= 12| pages= A582-A587 | url= http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0091-6765%28200112%29109%3A12%3CA582%3AWRTBOB%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1}}</ref>
It can be dangerous if consumed orally.<ref name=dd/> It can be [[hallucinogenic plant|hallucinogenic]], and is cited (under its synonym ''Vinca rosea'') in the [[Louisiana State Act 159]].
As an ornamental plant, it is appreciated for its hardiness in dry and nutritionally deficient conditions, popular in subtropical [[garden]]s where temperatures never fall below 5 °C to 7 °C, and as a warm-season [[bedding plant]] in temperate gardens. It is noted for its long flowering period, throughout the year in tropical conditions, and from spring to late autumn in warm temperate climates. Full sun and well-drained soil are preferred. Numerous [[cultivar]]s have been selected, for variation in flower colour (white, mauve, peach, scarlet and reddish-orange), and also for tolerance of cooler growing conditions in temperate regions. Notable cultivars include 'Albus' (white flowers), 'Grape Cooler' (rose-pink; cool-tolerant), the Ocellatus Group (various colours), and 'Peppermint Cooler' (white with a red centre; cool-tolerant).<ref name=rhs/>
''C. roseus'' is used in [[plant pathology]] as an experimental [[host (biology)|host]] for [[phytoplasma]]s.<ref>C. Marcone, A. Ragozzino, E. Seemuller (1997)
Dodder transmission of alder yellows phytoplasma to the experimental host Catharanthus roseus (periwinkle) Forest Pathology 27 (6), 347–350.</ref> This is because it is easy to infect with a large majority of phytoplasmas, and also often has very distinctive symptoms such as [[phyllody]] and significantly reduced [[leaf]] size.<ref>Chung-Jan Chang. Pathogenicity of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma and Spiroplasma citri on Periwinkle. Presented at the 89th Annual Meeting of The American Phytopathological Society
August 12, 1997, Rochester, NY</ref>
==Alkaloids==
*[[Vincristine]],<ref name="botany.hawaii">[http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/bot442/36PsychoactivePlantsII.pdf www.botany.hawaii.edu]</ref> used in cancer [[chemotherapy]].
*[[Vinblastine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
*[[Reserpine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
*[[Ibogaine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
*[[Yohimbine]]<ref name="botany.hawaii">.</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{eol|16496926}}