The pretty pink flower that has the power to heal!
Where in the world?
-HABITAT-
Catharanthus roseus, more commonly known as the Periwinkle
of Madagascar, is a native species to the Indian Ocean island of
Madagascar. Madagascar is located off the east coast of Southern
Africa. Now, onto the
ADAPTATIONS that the Rosy Periwinkle has acquired.
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Periwinkles can be found blooming from
early June up until the first freeze of the season sometime
during the fall months. Catharanthus roseus, does an
excellent job tolerating the hot temperatures of the
summer, and is also able to bear the extremes of drought
and heavy rainfall. After the periwinkle was introduced
to the southern United States, it has now become an
ornamental plant grown in flowerbeds, serving as a
great boarder plant. The the Rosy
Periwinkle can even be found in areas such as India,
Australia, Africa and southern Europe where it is grown
and cultivated for its medicinal uses.
In the specific niche of Madagascar where the Rosy Periwinkle resides, there are
an array of other organisms found there as well. Madagascar is a
very diverse place, and is home to some organisms that are
found nowhere else in the world! However, the forests of
Madagascar are depleting exponentially due to the overuse of
resources.
Here are a few of the other organisms that are
native to the island of the Madagascar Periwinkle.
Aye-Aye, a nocturnal lemur, the
ring-tailed lemur, and another plant species, that
enjoys the warm humid climate, the
moth orchid.
Not finding Rosy Periwinkles in your backyard, take a
trip to the
Atlanta Botanical Garden and see the Rosy Periwinkle
up-close!
Follow this
link to gain a better appreciation for the Indian Island
Ocean of Madagascar.