Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don

Erect, hairy, perennial herb. Petiole < 7 mm long; lamina 3.5–6 × 1–2.5 cm, oblong or obovate-oblong, clothed in short hairs above and below, penninerved with prominent yellowish veins and midrib; base cuneate; apex rounded and mucronulate. Pedicels 1–3 mm long. Calyx c. 6 mm long; lobes linear-subulate, densely hairy. Corolla tube 2–2.5 cm long, hairy, ampliate towards apex where stamens are inserted; limb 3–4 cm diam., deep pink with crimson eye in centre, whitish on reverse; lobes ± obovate, rounded apart from apical mucro, glabrous. Anther sacs 4–6× longer than wide, parallel, close together. Nectary disc = or > ovary. Follicles c. 2.5 cm long, hairy; seeds 1.75–2 mm long, black, oblong.

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

Flowering: Jan.–Dec.