Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don Nirvana Vinca series Family - Apocynaceae Common Names(s) - Cape periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle, old-maid, rose periwinkle, old maid. Synonym(s) - Ammocallis rosea (L.) Small, Lochnera rosea (L.) Rchb., Vinca rosea L. (basionym)

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

0

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

2

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

2

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

12

Notes

Source

1.01

(1) "Gardeners and herbalists cultivated Catharanthus roseus for centuries in Europe, India, China and America." [no evidence of invasive characteristics bred out of C. roseaus].

(1) http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4dmg/Whats/vinca2.htm [Cited 2009 November 11].

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native: Madagascar

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?70159 [2009 Cited November 7]

2.02

(1) Native: Madagascar

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?70159 [2009 Cited November 7]

2.03

(1) Tolerates temperatures of 65-68 F (18 – 20 C) nights. 75-85 F (24-30 C) days. USDA hardiness zone: 10. AHS heat zones 12-6.

(1) http://www.syngentaflowersinc.com/pdf/cultural/Vinca_Final.pdf [Cited 2009 November 10].

2.04

(1) Native: Madagascar

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?70159 [2009 Cited November 7]

2.05

(1) As an ornamental, Catharanthus, more commonly known as Madagascar Periwinkle or Vinca (not to be confused with the genus Vinca), is valued for its drought and heat tolerance. Currently, the wholesale market value of Catharanthus cultivars exceeds $40 million annually. Though Catharanthus cultivars currently only account for about four percent of the total bedding plant market, their popularity will likely increase due to their heat and drought tolerance." (2)Catharanthus roseus has been ranked no. 62 out of 200 invasive naturalised environmental weed species in south-east Queensland. It is readily available in nurseries

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/cgc_reports/herbscgc1995.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11].

3.01

(1) Naturalized in Mexico and Guatemala. (2) "It was first recorded as naturalised in South-east Queensland in 1909 and is widely spread from North Queensland south to the NSW border. It is abundant on Magnetic Island."

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/cgc_reports/herbscgc1995.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11].

3.02

(1) Self-compatibility and a relatively high tolerance to disturbance have enabled the plant to spread from cultivation and to become naturalised in many parts of the world. As a consequence, the Madagascar periwinkle is sometimes considered to be an invasive weed, although it does not normally proliferate sufficiently to eliminate native vegetation. (2) Catharanthus roseus has been ranked no. 62 out of 200 invasive naturalised environmental weed species in south-east Queensland. It is readily available in nurseries [no control mentioned].

(1) http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Catharanthus-roseus.htm [Cited 2009 November 11]. (2) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11].

3.03

No evidence

3.04

(1) Catharanthus roseus has been ranked no. 62 out of 200 invasive naturalised environmental weed species in south-east Queensland. It is readily available in nurseries [no control mentioned].

(1) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11].

3.05

No evidence

4.01

(1) No spines, thorns or burrs.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

4.02

Unknown (1) In this study, leaf extracts from Catharanthus roseus caused delay in the time of flowering in turnip.

(1) http://w3.rennes.inra.fr/apbv/actualites/Cruciferae%20Newsletter_vol27.pdf#page=68 [Cited 2009 November 10].

4.03

(1) Not parasitic.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

4.04

(1) Deer will not eat the annual Vinca.(2) Larger pests such as rabbits and deer avoid eating vinca. In deer infested areas, vincas are highly recommended plants that will provide summer color.

(1) http://www.plantanswers.com/vinca_perriwinkle.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4dmg/Whats/vinca2.htm [Cited 2009 November 11].

4.05

(1) Catharanthus roseus is poisonous if ingested or smoked. It has caused poisoning in grazing animals.

(1) http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cath_ros.cfm [Cited 2009 November 11].

4.06

(1) Catharanthus roseus has no serious disease or insect problems.

(1) http://www.arkive.org/madagascar-periwinkle/catharanthus-roseus/info.html [Cited 2009 November 10].

4.07

(1) " In addition to its value as an herbaceous ornamental, alkaloid extracts of Catharanthus roseus have been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, and antidysenteric, an anti haemorrhagic and for wound healing. Folk medicine also used extracts for treatment of diabetes. During the 1960's, as a result of the discovery of the valuable cytotoxic alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus (especially vinblastine and vincristine), this species became one of the major fields of interest in modern plant cell biotechnology. During the last 30 years, C. roseus has been used in modern medical practice as the most important plant in treating cancer. Vinblastine sulphate is used particularly to treat Hodgkin's disease but is also used against lymphosarcoma, choriocarcinoma, neuroblastoma carcinoma of the breast, lungs and other organs, and in acute and chronic leukaemia. Vincristine sulphate is used particularly to treat acute leukaemia in children and lymphocytic leukaemia, but is also used against Hodgkins disease, Wilm's tumor, neuroblastoma, rhabdosarcoma and reticulum sarcoma. Since these drugs were first marketed, childhood leukaemia survival rates have increased from IO % to 95 %. The value of alkaloids derived exclusively from C. roseus exceeds $100 million annually." [Although this information is species specific, it should apply to the cultivars, since the Nirvana vinca series has been bred for its Phytopthera resistance.] (2) Cases of human poisoning are unknown in Catharanthus roseus. (3) This study examined the effects of airborne pollen of Catharanthus roseus on respiratory allergic patients. Skin tests were used to see if the patients had a reaction to the pollen. Of 282 patients, 29.8% had a reaction.

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/cgc_reports/herbscgc1995.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (3) http://www.aaem.pl/pdf/14039.pdf [Cited 2009 November 11].

4.08

(1) Herbaceous

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

4.09

(1) Tolerates part-shade to full sun. (2) The plant requires full sun.

(1) http://www.plantanswers.com/vinca_perriwinkle.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CATROSA.PDF [Cited 2009 November 11].

4.10

(1) Catharanthus roseus is found on sand and limestone soils in woodland, forest, grassland and disturbed sites. (2) Soil tolerances: clay; sand' acidic; slightly alkaline; loam

(1) http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Catharanthus-roseus.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CATROSA.PDF [Cited 2009 November 11].

4.11

(1) Herb to 24 " tall.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

4.12

(1) Herb to 24 " tall. [no evidence of forming dense thickets].

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

5.01

(1) Terrestrial; herbaceous

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

5.02

(1) Apocynaceae

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

5.03

(1) Herbaceous.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

5.04

(1) Not a geophyte.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

6.01

(1) Madagascar’s forests have been heavily impacted by human activity, but the Madagascar periwinkle’s ability to thrive in disturbed areas has enabled it to survive in its island home. Furthermore, it is widely established in the wild throughout tropical regions of the world.

(1) http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Catharanthus-roseus.htm [Cited 2009 November 10].

6.02

(1) Catharanthus roseus is naturalized on most of the Hawaiian islands. It reseeds readily. (2) Readily reseeds, may become invasive.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (2) http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CATROSA.PDF [Cited 2009 November 11].

6.03

Unknown (1) "As far back as the 1920's, hybridizers worked with selections of the species, C. roseus, to come up with improved plants. Sakata Seed Corporation, a wholesale company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, offered four varieties of C. roseus in its 1925 catalog: Rose, Alba Okulata, Alba Pura, and Mix."

(1) http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4dmg/Whats/vinca2.htm [Cited 2009 November 11].

6.04

(1) Catharanthus roseus is self-compatible. (2) C. roseus is self-fertile.

(1) http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Catharanthus-roseus.htm [Cited 2009 November 10]. (2) Łata, B., 2007. Cultivation, mineral nutrition and seed production of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don in the temperate climate zone. Phytochemistry Reviews 6, 403-41

6.05

(1) The flowers of Catharanthus roseus are adapted to pollination by a long-tongued insect, such as a moth or butterfly. (2) Pollination is by butterflies.

6.06

(1) Propagated by seeds.

(1) http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/CATROSA.PDF [Cited 2009 November 11].

6.07

(1) Perennial that is cultivated as an annual in temperate zones.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

7.01

(1) The seeds are very small. (2) Seeds are small, 2 to 3 mm in length and 1 to 2 mm in width. One thousand seeds weigh about 1 to 2 g.(3) Self-compatibility and a relatively high tolerance to disturbance have enabled the plant to spread from cultivation and to become naturalised in many parts of the world. As a consequence, the Madagascar periwinkle is sometimes considered to be an invasive weed, although it does not normally proliferate sufficiently to eliminate native vegetation.

(1) Łata, B., 2007. Cultivation, mineral nutrition and seed production of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don in the temperate climate zone. Phytochemistry Reviews 6, 403-411. (2) http://books.google.com/books?id=t8ggxMDbjTYC&pg=PA322&lpg=PA322&dq=catharanthus+roseus+%2B
+%22seed%22&source=bl&ots=F9_3DAq7eN&sig=CIm4jIF3Ua3dWFOBQu3zoOg6qy4&hl=en&ei=
7J79SpClJY2yswPE2OSHCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=
0CBcQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=catharanthus%20roseus%20%2B%20%22seed%22&f=false [2009November 11]. (3) http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Catharanthus-roseus.htm [Cited 2009 November 11].

7.02

(1) Catharanthus roseus has been ranked no. 62 out of 200 invasive naturalised environmental weed species in south-east Queensland. It is readily available in nurseries. (2) As an ornamental, Catharanthus, more commonly known as Madagascar Periwinkle or Vinca (not to be confused with the genus Vinca), is valued for its drought and heat tolerance. Currently, the wholesale market value of Catharanthus cultivars exceeds $40 million annually. Though Catharanthus cultivars currently only account for about four percent of the total bedding plant market, their popularity will likely increase due to their heat and drought tolerance."

(1) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11]. (2) http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/cgc_reports/herbscgc1995.htm [Cited 2009 November 10].

7.03

(1) "Fruit 2 cylindrical follicles. Seeds without hair tuft"

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

7.04

(1) "Fruit 2 cylindrical follicles. Seeds without hair tuft" (2) Seeds are dispersed by ants, wind, water.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (2) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11]

7.05

(1) "Fruit 2 cylindrical follicles. Seeds without hair tuft" (2) Seeds are dispersed by ants, wind, water.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (2) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11]

7.06

(1) "Fruit 2 cylindrical follicles. Seeds without hair tuft"

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (2) http://lgrmag.com/articles/Binder13.pdf [Cited 2009 November 10]

7.07

(1) Seeds are dispersed by ants, wind, water.

(1) http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=E39 [Cited 2009 November 11]

7.08

(1) "Fruit 2 cylindrical follicles. Seeds without hair tuft" (2) Seeds are small, 2 to 3 mm in length and 1 to 2 mm in width. One thousand seeds weigh about 1 to 2 g.

(1) Staples, G.S.H., D.R., 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. (2) http://books.google.com/books?id=t8ggxMDbjTYC&pg=PA322&lpg=PA322&dq=catharanthus+roseus+%2B+%22seed%22&source=bl&ots=
F9_3DAq7eN&sig=CIm4jIF3Ua3dWFOBQu3zoOg6qy4&hl=en&ei=7J79SpClJY2yswPE2OSHCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct
=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBcQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=catharanthus%20roseus%20%2B%20%22seed%22&f=false [2009November 11].

8.01

(1) Seeds are small, 2 to 3 mm in length and 1 to 2 mm in width. One thousand seeds weigh about 1 to 2 g.

(1)http://books.google.com/books?id=t8ggxMDbjTYC&pg=PA322&lpg=PA322&dq=catharanthus+roseus+%2B+%22seed%22&source=bl&ots=
F9_3DAq7eN&sig=CIm4jIF3Ua3dWFOBQu3zoOg6qy4&hl=en&ei=7J79SpClJY2yswPE2OSHCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct
=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBcQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=catharanthus%20roseus%20%2B%20%22seed%22&f=false [2009November 11].

8.02

(1) Catharanthus roseus has orthodox seeds. (2) Dedio and Kozlowski (1995) did research on the seed bank longevity and viability of C. roseus. The first year after harvest, seeds exhibited 90-100% viability. It was retained at the same level for 3 years. Seeds were stored at room temperature in paper bags and analyzed at monthly intervals. Gogitidze (1983) reported 85-95% of freshly harvested seeds germinated after 2 days and they retained high germinability for two subsequent years.

8.03

Unknown (1) Catharanthus roseus has shown injury from the pre-emergent herbicide Jewel (oxadiazon + pendimethalin).

(1) http://www.scottsprohort.com/_docs/herbicides/jewel_specimen_label.pdf [Cited 2009 November 10].

8.04

No evidence. (1) Self compatibility and a relatively high tolerance of disturbance have enabled this species to spread from cultivation and naturalise in many parts of the world. (2) "Its form becomes unattractive with age and replanting or pruning is sometimes required."

(1) http://www.arkive.org/madagascar-periwinkle/catharanthus-roseus/info.html [Cited 2009 November 10] (2) Whistler, A. 2000 Tropical ornamentals. Timber press

8.05

Unknown