cape periwinkle
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowers: This refers to a specific flowering plant, Catharanthus roseus, also known as the Madagascar periwinkle. It is a perennial subshrub native to Madagascar but widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical gardens worldwide for its attractive, five-petaled flowers.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The cape periwinkle is a popular choice for adding continuous color to garden borders.
- Despite its delicate appearance, the cape periwinkle is a remarkably drought-tolerant plant.
- You can easily propagate a cape periwinkle from cuttings.
Advanced Usage
- The term cape periwinkle is primarily used in horticultural and botanical contexts to specify this particular species. It distinguishes it from the common periwinkle (), which is a different, low-growing, shade-loving plant with blue flowers.
Variants and Related Words
- Madagascar periwinkle (n): The most common alternative name for the same plant.
- Rosy periwinkle (n): Another synonym, emphasizing the flower color.
- Catharanthus roseus (n): The formal botanical (Latin) name for the species.
- Periwinkle (n): A more general term that can refer to several different plants in the genera and ; context is needed for clarity.
Synonyms
- Madagascar periwinkle
- Rosy periwinkle
- Old maid (a common name in some regions)
- Bright eyes (a common name in some regions)
Notes on Meaning
- It is important to distinguish the cape periwinkle () from the common or lesser periwinkle (). They are different plants with different growth habits, flower colors, and light requirements.
- Beyond its ornamental use, the cape periwinkle is significant in medicine, as it is the source of vinca alkaloids used in chemotherapy treatments. This meaning, however, is not conveyed by the common name "cape periwinkle" itself but by its scientific context.
Noun
- commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowers