Pronounced (approximate): VIN-kah MY-nor
Violet-blue flowers have five spreading pinwheel-like lobes. Glossy opposite leaves remain on trailing evergreen stems.
Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Apocynaceae
Life cycle Perennial, perennial woody
Blooms May – June
Height 4 to 8 inches
Habitat part shade, shade, sun; moist to dry disturbed soil; woods, thickets, forest edges, bluffs, abandoned homesteads
Common names: Common Periwinkle · Lesser Periwinkle · Creeping Myrtle
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
part shade, shade, sun; moist to dry disturbed soil; woods, thickets, forest edges, bluffs, abandoned homesteads. Flowering season: May – June.
Greater Periwinkle has larger leaves with hairy margins. Check leaf edges when the two might occur together.
Violet-blue flowers have five spreading pinwheel-like lobes.
Glossy opposite leaves remain on trailing evergreen stems.
Low mats spread across the ground. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
5 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Introduced in North America; native to Europe.
Reported U.S. distribution
AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Common Periwinkle in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.