Vinca major L.

Stems glabrous, long and partly trailing or running and rooting at nodes, with terminal part often ascending, forming dense mats often covering many square metres. Petiole (5)–7–20 mm long; margins hirsute. Lamina (3)–4–10 × (1.8)–2.5–7 cm, ovate, usually dark glossy green above, rarely variegated white and green; midrib hairy above; margins ciliate; base mostly rounded or subcordate, sometimes truncate or broad-cuneate; apex obtuse or acute. Pedicels 2.5–4 cm long, slender. Calyx 0.9–1.7 cm long; lobes linear-subulate, ciliate, glandular towards base. Corolla tube c. 1.5 cm long; limb (3)–3.5–5 cm diam., mauvish blue; lobes obliquely obovate; apex truncate or obtuse. Anthers slightly wider than long. Follicles 3.5–5 cm long, the apical part very narrow and pointed, constricted between seeds. Seeds 7–8 mm long, oblong, strongly corrugated; margins inrolled.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Dec.