Variety Characteristics:

- Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a semi-shrub species of the Catharanthus genus in the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family, named for its exceptionally long flowering period—blooming continuously from spring to late autumn. The plant is glabrous or sparsely pubescent, with bluish-purple flowers, making it highly ornamental. This variety thrives in warm, humid, and partially shaded environments, but it has low cold tolerance and is susceptible to waterlogging. It grows best in well-drained, aerated sandy or humus-rich soils, though it is unsuitable for saline-alkali soils. Important Note: While its extracts possess certain medicinal properties, the milky latex exuded from broken stems or leaves is highly toxic and must not be ingested.