Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, graveyard plant, Madagascar periwinkle, old maid, pink periwinkle, rose periwinkle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native and endemic to Madagascar, but grown elsewhere as an ornamental and medicinal plant. It is a source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat cancer.

The Madagascar periwinkle or Catharanthus is a flower that quickly spreads. They are considered half-hardy annuals, and the flowers may be rose, mauve, or white flowers. When grown outside, the plant needs full sunlight to grow.

The flowers will appear during the summer months and need good drainage or the roots may rot. Catharanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae.

Like the genus Vinca, they are known commonly as periwinkles. There are eight known species. Seven are endemic to Madagascar, though one, C. roseus, is widely naturalized around the world.

We’ll be sharing more about this flower in future.