Madagascar periwinkle

Overview

Catharanthus roseus is native to Madagascar. The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant throughout the tropic regions, sometimes also in subtropic regions. The plant species is now naturalized in many regions.

Vernacular Names

Tapak dara, bunga serdadu (Indonesia), Kemunting china (Malaysia), chichirica, kantotai, amnias (Philippines), Nom in, phakpot bok, phaengphuai bok (Thailand).

Agroecology

Madagascar periwinkle often grows in coastal locations. However, The plant also can be found in river banks, savanna, waste place, open forest, roadside, or curbs. Usually grows in sandy soil but is also found in rocky soil. can be found near sea level up to 1500 meters of altitude.

Morphology

• Stems - sometimes woody in base.
• Leaves - simple, decussate, elliptical to obovate or narrowly obovate, herbaceous to thinly leathery, glossy green above and pale green below.
• Flowers - bisexual, 5-merous, sepals green in color, corolla tube salver-shaped pink, rose-purple or white with a purple, red, pink, pale yellow or white center.
• Fruit - 2 cylindric follicle 1 to 4 cm long, green, and many-seeded.
• Seeds - oblong, 1–2 mm long, black with rugose testa.

Cultivation

• Usually propagated seed.
• It may also propagate through greenwood or semi-ripe cuttings.

Chemical Constituents

• Vindoline, serpentine, catharanthine, ajmalicine, akuammine, lochnerine, tetrahydroalstonine, vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine vinorelbine, leurosidine, leurosine and numerous other chemical constituents. 

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• All plant part is traditionally used to treat malaria, diarrhea, diabetes, cancer, and skin diseases.
• Leaves may be used as an antiseptic agent for wounds, hemorrhages, and toothache.
• The plant is also used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, relieving dyspepsia, dysentery, and wasp sting.
• The plant might also use as purgative, vermifuge, depurative, vomit induction, and to stop bleeding.