Madagascar periwinkle

Madagascar periwinkle

n. A low-growing perennial plant (Catharanthus roseus) native to Madagascar, having pink or white flowers and cultivated as a groundcover and as a source of alkaloids used to treat diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. Also called rosy periwinkle.

Mad′agas′car per′iwinkle

n. a plant, Catharanthus roseus (or Vinca rosea), cultivated for its glossy foliage and pink or white flowers.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Madagascar periwinkle - commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowersCape periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, cayenne jasmine, red periwinkle, rose periwinkle, Vinca rosea, periwinkle, old maidCatharanthus, genus Catharanthus - small genus of erect annual or perennial herbs native to Madagascar; widely naturalized in the tropics; formerly included in genus Vincaherb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests