Vinca major

Vinca major L. (Medit.) – A rather rare but increasing, locally naturalised escape from cultivation. Already known as such in the first half of the 19th century (possibly even earlier). Known from numerous, widely scattered locations (mostly in Wallonia). The number of stable populations is probably rather small but seems to increase. Well-documented for instance from Roly (since the 1950’s). Vinca major is remarkably often recorded under shrubs in coastal dunes (for instance in Koksijde, Blankenberge-Zeebrugge, Sint-Idesbald,…). At least in the nature reserve De Fonteintjes, between Blankenberge and Zeebrugge, Vinca major has been recorded since 1953 (see also Verloove 2002, 2006).

Vinca major is found in a wide variety of habitats (in or near gardens and cemeteries, dumps, road verges, hedges, railway banks,…) but it only becomes naturalised in shady, more or less nitrophilous and damp habitats.

Herbarium specimen


Vinca major (Wenduine, May 2010, Filip Verloove)


Selected literature

Brennenstuhl G. (2008) Zur Einbürgerung von Vinca- und Miscanthus-Taxa – Beobachtungen im Gebiet um Salzwedel. Mitt. Florist. Kart. Sachsen-Anhalt 13: 77-84.

Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.

Verloove F. (2006) Vinca major. In: Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van den Bremt P., Vercruysse W. & De Beer D., Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, Nationale Plantentuin van België en Flo.Wer: 927.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith