Lesser Periwinkle

Description:

Appearance: Common periwinkle is a vine-like erect or trailing groundcover; mostly evergreen; stems slender. Foliage: Leaves are opposite, dark green, glossy, oval to lance-shaped, thick-textured; may be variegated. Flowers: Flowers are blue, lavender or white, about 1 in. across, five petals blunt at tip, arranged in spiral; blooms in springtime. Fruit: No fruits or seeds typically. Spreads: vegetatively through rhizomes. Common periwinkle was first introduced into North America in the 1700s as an ornamental. It is still commonly sold as an ornamental ground cover.

Habitat:

Periwinkle has escaped cultivation and is invading natural areas throughout the eastern U.S. It inhabits open to shady sites including forests and often escapes from old homesites. Periwinkle grows vigorously and forms dense and extensive mats along the forest floor, displacing native herbaceous and woody plant species.

Notes:

Spotted along road at Camp Windy Waters on Lake Allatoona