Two common garden flowers are called vinca. The first, annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) or Madagascar periwinkle, is an annual bedding plant popular in the South for its hardy nature and colorful blooms. The second, called periwinkle or vinca (Vinca minor or major) is a creeping perennial vine. Both plants contain vinca alkaloids, which are toxic to humans and animals.
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Description
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Vinca plants and vines have dark, glossy green leaves and attractive flowers in shades of white, pink, purple and blue. Some cultivars have variegated foliage. Spreading cultivars will grow unchecked; other types form mounds about 2 feet wide with an equal height. All parts of the plant -- the seeds, flowers, stems and foliage -- are toxic.
Toxicity
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The University of Arkansas categorizes vinca as a level 1 toxic plant. This categorization of toxicity states that the effects of ingesting this plant can range from stomach cramps to serious heart problems. In animals, some symptoms include low blood pressure, seizures, vomiting, coma and even death, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Alkaloids
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The alkaloids in vinca are what cause the adverse effects on the body. They invade cells, stopping the process of mitosis and killing the cells. For this reason, some of the alkaloids have been used in medications for treating cancer. In cancer treatment, they are injected into the body and quickly metabolized by the liver. If they are ingested, however, the effects are more severe and dangerous, according to the Emory Winship Cancer Institute website.
Considerations
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Vinca is a hardy, spreading plant. It is considered invasive in some parts of the country. It grows with little care and attractively covers problem areas of your garden. But it might also be attractive to animals such as horses and llamas, which might be tempted to nibble on it. Because of its toxicity, it should be removed from areas where animals graze. Wear protective clothing and a mask when pulling it up or mowing it under.
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