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Catharanthus roseus

(L.) G.Don (1837)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae Genus: Catharanthus

kīhāpai [kihapai], Madagascar periwinkle

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Suffrutescent herbs.

Stems: Stems 3–8 dm long, sparsely puberulent.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades oblong–elliptic to obovate, 3–5 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide. Apex rounded, sometimes apiculate. Base cuneate. Margins entire. Petiolate. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers paired. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx of 5 sepals, lobes lanceolate to subulate; 5–7 mm long. Corolla of 5 petals, salverform; white or rose pink, often with a white, red, or yellow center, the tube 20–30 mm long, the lobes 15–27 mm long. Stamens 5, inserted on the corolla tube in the inflated portion near the mouth, but not exserted. Ovary superior, distinct, cylindrical.

Fruit: Fruit of 2 follicles; 1.5–2.5 cm long. Seeds ca. 8; narrowly ellipsoid; 2 mm long; 1 mm in diameter; the surface wrinkled.

Ploidy: 2n = 16; 24; 32.

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Not in flora
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Wind

Pollinators

Notes

  • All parts contain nerve toxins, but quantities are small, making harmful exposure rare in many cases, but can cause problems for pregnant women if ingested.

Bibliography

Name Published In: Gen. Hist. 4: 95 (1837)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:215 (Mi, Ni, O, Mo, M, Ka, H); Lorence et al. 1995:22 (K); Staples & Herbst 2005:117 (KEY), 120 (DESCR); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:155 (remove Ka [no evidence of nat.]); Starr & Starr 2008 (Mi†, 1979)

Poisonous Plant of Paradise (Scott & Thomas) p.137-139

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Catharanthus roseus Kaimuki, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9823 Oahu BISH 1926-12-05
2 Catharanthus roseus Kapua Bay Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10142 Hawaii BISH 1983-12-17
3 Catharanthus roseus University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Yoshinaga, E.K. Oahu BISH 1929-11-20
4 Catharanthus roseus East Maui, Hana District, Kauiki, E side of Hana Bay, Behind community building On open, eroding cinder face with Pteris vittata and Pityrogramma. Dominated by Casuarina planted in late 1930's but with numerous other alien species (Terminalia, Syzygium, Ardisia). Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2515 Maui BISH 1987-10-21
5 Catharanthus roseus Nuu, S slope of Haleakala Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1912 Maui BISH 1920-03-09
6 Catharanthus roseus Between Alii Drive and Kuakini Hwy. North Kona Naturalized in Prosopis pallida, Lantana camara, Acacia farnesiana, Tricachne insularis srub. Preserved_Specimen Depauperate shrubs 0.5 m tall. Nagata, K.M. 2116 Hawaii BISH 1980-08-30
7 Catharanthus roseus PCC, back entrance next to canal Scattered. Preserved_Specimen Ornamental; pink flower. Ayakawa, G.T. 13 Oahu BISH 1967-03-11
8 Catharanthus roseus Koloa District, Lawai Valley, National Tropical Botanical Garden. Headquarters at S end of Papalina Rd., S of administration bldg In Eucalyptus citriodora grove. Preserved_Specimen Perennial herb 30-40 cm tall, crushed foliage with rank odor. Corolla lobes white, center (throat) yellow. Lorence, D.H. 7465 Kauai BISH 1994-06-21
9 Catharanthus roseus Koloa District; Kalaheo, house on Kaloke Street In yard. Preserved_Specimen Subshrub 0.5-0.6 m tall, full and densely branching, sap not milky, parts with acrid odor. Corolla lobes white, center pale yellow, tube green; not fragrant during day. Lorence, D.H. 6586 Kauai BISH 1990-08-15
10 Catharanthus roseus Mokuleia Persistent after cultivation. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11384 Oahu BISH 1937-03-01
11 Catharanthus roseus Near Koko Head, W makai end of Kaluanui Ridge, makai part of haole koa zone Escaped from cultivation; rock crevice plant. Preserved_Specimen Perennial shrub, 0.5 m high; flowers white. Egler, F.E. 3795 Oahu BISH 1937-07-01
12 Catharanthus roseus BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie Very common garden plant. Preserved_Specimen Herb to 3' tall; very colorful; flowers purple or white. Afualo, D. 85 Oahu BISH 1975-03-17
13 Catharanthus roseus Near Koko Head, W makai end of Kaluanui Ridge, makai part of haole koa zone Escaped from cultivation; rock crevice plant. Preserved_Specimen Perennial shrub, 0.5 m high; flowers pink. Flowers and leaves green in dry season when other plants mainly dormant. Egler, F.E. 3794 Oahu BISH 1937-07-01
14 Catharanthus roseus Moanalua side of ridge seperating Moanalua and Halawa valleys Open sunny area surrounded by; Urochloa maxima, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Psidium catleyanum, Asparagus aethiopicus Preserved_Specimen Flower color pink / purple. Herbaceous stem portions pinkish. Arthur, K. 7 Oahu BISH 2025-01-06
15 Catharanthus roseus Laie Scattered. Preserved_Specimen Ornamental; purple flower. Kwok, K.T.W. 35 Oahu BISH 1967-04-06
16 Catharanthus roseus no locality data on label Introduced. Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. BISH 1864-01-01
17 Catharanthus roseus University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Suffrutescent, erect, 3-5 dm tall; flowers pink. Fosberg, F.R. 8829 Oahu BISH 1932-09-15
18 Catharanthus roseus Laie Naupaka-coconut palms-beach morning glories. Preserved_Specimen Perennial ca. 2-3' tall, purple & white flower. Brandow, C.T. 43 Oahu BISH 1967-05-10
19 Catharanthus roseus Punaluu rocky pasture Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 8191 Oahu BISH 1926-07-25
20 Catharanthus roseus along coastal and inland trail in Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Predominantly exotic vegetation. Area highly modified by ancient Polynesians. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10224 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-07
21 Catharanthus roseus University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Cultivated, in moist ground. Preserved_Specimen Inafuku, R. Oahu BISH 1930-10-27
22 Catharanthus roseus Laie Scattered. Preserved_Specimen Shrub; flower purple. Kamae, K.K. 1 Oahu BISH 1967-03-16
23 Catharanthus roseus Punaula Valley Escaped to rocky hillside. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12783 Molokai BISH 1932-12-28
24 Catharanthus roseus Laie Scattered in grassland. Preserved_Specimen Leaves opposite; lavender flower. Hu, N. 59 Oahu BISH 1975-04-05
25 Catharanthus roseus Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Ahihi Bay at the N end of the reserve Pockets of vegetation near the seashore amongst a'a lava about 200 years old. Preserved_Specimen Abbott, I.A. 91.9 Maui BISH 1991-03-05
26 Catharanthus roseus Honolulu, Punahou area, 1940 Manoa Rd Planted in a bed in full sun. Preserved_Specimen Low, spreading shrub 0.6 m tall; flowers rose with beet purple at the center; not fragrant (at early morning). Lau, J. 1118 Oahu BISH 1985-06-20
27 Catharanthus roseus BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie Preserved_Specimen Ver, S. 10465 Oahu BISH 1977-04-06
28 Catharanthus roseus Mapulehu Valley, near mouth Dry hillside. Preserved_Specimen Subshrub 0.5 m tall; flowers rose-pink. Fosberg, F.R. 13541 Molokai BISH 1936-12-31
29 Catharanthus roseus Oahu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9824 Oahu BISH 1927-01-01
30 Catharanthus roseus Laniloa Loop, Laie Lowlands. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous shrub 2' high; white or rosy pink flowers - 5 lobes. Seedpods in pairs of 2 from same peduncle. Utai, M. 8.35 Oahu BISH 1975-03-01
31 Catharanthus roseus University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9825 Oahu BISH 1929-12-01
32 Catharanthus roseus Na Pali Coast, Kalalau Valley Growing in Lantana camara scrub with scattered Eugenia cumini and Agave sisalana in lower valley. Preserved_Specimen Low trailing plant. Flowers white. Corn, C. 320 Kauai BISH 1979-07-16
33 Catharanthus roseus Koloa District, NTBG, Middle Valley, Shady Medicinal Section, between Stream and road, planted next to Horticultural Research Center under Kou tree. Preserved_Specimen Catharanthus rosea hybrid. Small shrubs up to 4 ft tall. Multi-branchined at base w branches cascadng on ground cut stems w/ astringent smell. Most with dark pink corolla, underside of petals white. About 1 in 10 with white flowers and red center. New stems green some with Tangalin, N. 3937 Kauai BISH 2014-09-26
34 Catharanthus roseus Laie Preserved_Specimen 30 tall. Tanabe, L. 28 Oahu BISH 1960-10-28
35 Catharanthus roseus Kalaupapa; airport, oceanview pavilion Preserved_Specimen suffrutescent herbs Wysong, M.L. 423 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
36 Catharanthus roseus W Maui, Shore trail W of Waihee Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 113 Maui BISH 1910-06-01
37 Catharanthus roseus Kona, Alahaka Bay to Lae Loa Pt., S of Honaunau Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. Hawaii BISH 1957-01-22
38 Catharanthus roseus no locality data on label Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. BISH 1864-01-01
39 Catharanthus roseus Koloa District, Botanical Garden Plantings, planted next to Pump House on S and SE side of Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Small shrubs up to 3 ft tall. Stems procumbent. Cut stems w/ astringent smell. Most with dark pink corolla, underside of petals white. About 1 in 10 with white flowers and red center. New stems green some with purple, older slight Tangalin, N. 3936 Kauai BISH 2014-09-26
40 Catharanthus roseus BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie Preserved_Specimen An everblooming perennial herb or small shrub. Flowers are showy, 5-parted, white. Flower 1-1.5 diam; 5 broad, spreading lobes terminating a narrow, inch-long tube. Tiu, C. 50 Oahu BISH 1975-03-22
41 Catharanthus roseus Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 6196 Oahu BISH 1961-10-12
42 Catharanthus roseus S. Kona, Kapua bay and surrounding areas, in the ahupuaa of Kapua Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 7715 Hawaii BISH 1977-07-01
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