Common name: Tiny Periwinkle, Tiny Vinca • Marathi: संगखी Sangkhi, रान केल Ran-kel, तिलोनी Tiloni • Tamil: Paalaich, chetthai, milakaych chakkalatti • Malayalam: chupa-vela • Telugu: kanupoolaku, erri mirapa, gulvidi, sukbanda, gaddipoolu • Kannada: bili kaasi kanigalu
Botanical name: Catharanthus pusillus Family: Apocynaceae (Oleander family)
Synonyms: Lochnera pusilla, Vinca pusilla
Tiny Periwinkle is a small erect annual herb, native to India. It grows up
to only 10 to 20 cm tall. It has several quadrangular branches, spreading
from the base. Leaves are oppositely arranged, lance-shaped, 3-8 cm long,
with rough margin. The leaf base narrows to a tiny stalk. The whole plant
contains milky sap. Small white, periwinkle like flowers appear singly or
in pairs, in the upper leaf axils. Flowers are tiny, 6-8 mm, flat, with 5
petals. Seed pod is very slender, 3-5 cm long, straight, pointed.
Flowering: July-August.
Identification credit: Prashant Awale
| Photographed at Pisol fort, Dhule, Maharashtra. |
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