INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES FACT SHEET Periwinkle Vinca minor

Description: Problem: Origin:

Vinca minor is a Once established, Vinca Vinca minor is a perennial, evergreen minor forms a dense native from southern herb that matures at carpet to the exclusion of Switzerland southward about 6” tall and stems other plants. This cre- around much of the that continue to elongate ates a problem where it Mediterranean basin, each year to many yards is competing with native from Portugal to Turkey, in length. It exhibits a flora. In ideal growth con- and across much of trailing mat, prostrate ditions, Vinca minor can north Africa. It has mat or mounding mat spread with great rapidity been introduced in growth habit and has a by means of its arching the United States as a medium growth rate. Its stolons, which root at the medicinal herb and as an leaves are evergreen, tips. Dry or cold weather ornamental ground cover. elliptic and dark green may temporarily set above with a subtle white growth back, but it quickly mid-vein. The flowers resprouts and regains are predominantly blue- lost ground coverage. It purple, originate from the grows most vigorously in leaf axils, composed of moist soil with only partial five fused pinwheel-like sun, but it can grow in the petals and a short tubular deepest shade and even throat. They bloom in in poor soil. late March and April and sporadically throughout the growing season. Picture By: Ellen Jacquart

Pictures By (From top to bottom): Distribution: IPSAWG Ranking: K. Yatskievych, D. Tenaglia @ www.invasive.org and D. Tenaglia @ www.invasive.org. Periwinkle is frequently HIGH LOW MEDIUM Invasive Plants found in well-drained, open, disturbed ground are a Threat to: of shaded woods, edges and roadsides. It is Ecological Potential for Difficulty of Impact Expansion Control • Forests and escaped throughout the wetlands eastern US, and can become a dominant and IPSAWG Recommendation: • Native plants sometimes monotypic •Plant periwinkle only next to concrete or lawns; do not understory in the plant next to natural areas. northeastern US. In • Perennial gardens •Help by eradicating any periwinkle adjacent to or in Indiana, it has been found natural areas on your property. • Wildlife as an escaped species in all counties. It grows This ranking illustrates the results of an assessment conducted more aggressively in the • Lakes and rivers by the Invasive Plant Species Assessment Working Group south part of the state, (IPSAWG), which is made up of many organizations and agencies covering hundreds of concerned about invasive plant species. IPSAWG’s goal is to assess • Human health acres in southern Indiana which plant species may threaten natural areas in Indiana and develop recommendations to reduce their use in the state. forests. • Farmland For more information about IPSAWG and the assessment tool used to rank invasive species, visit their website: Date Prepared: 05/07 www.invasivespecies.IN.gov Control Methods: ALTERNATIVES to Periwinkle: Periwinkle can be pulled, In winter, herbicide controls are known. raked, or dug up, though treatments should be resprouting will occur. It limited to days when the Always read and can also be cut or mowed high temperature exceeds follow pesticide label in spring during its rapid 50° F. No biological directions. growth stage followed by a foliar application of glyphosate on the resprouts. Herbicide alone can be used as a control method. Dwarf Crested Iris Thoroughly wet all leaves (Iris cristata) triclopyr (Garlon 3A) or glyphosate (Roundup) mixed according to label directions at the highest allowed rate plus a non- ionic surfactant. This should be done between July to October for successive years. Picture By: J. Swearingen @ www.invasive.org.

Palm Sedge (Carex muskingumensis) Eight Easy Ways to Combat Invasive Plants

You can help stop the spread of invasive plants by following these 8 easy guidelines: 1. Ask for only non- for invasive species, and and natural areas to assist invasive species when you remove invasives before ongoing efforts to diminish acquire plants. Request that they become a problem. If the threat of invasive nurseries and garden plants can’t be removed, plants. centers sell only non- at least prevent them from 7. Help educate your invasive plants. going to seed. community through 2. Seek information on 4. Clean your boots before personal contacts and in invasive plants. Sources and after visiting a natural such settings as garden Wild Ginger include botanical gardens, area to prevent the spread clubs and civic groups. (Asarum canadense) horticulturists, of invasive plant seeds. 8. Support public policies conservationists, and 5. Don’t release aquarium and programs to control government agencies. plants into the wild. invasive plants. 3. Scout your property 6. Volunteer at local parks For More Information: On this assessment and IPSAWG: IPSAWG Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) www.invasivespecies.IN.gov On identification and control techniques: Pictures By (Top to Bottom): Kay The Nature Conservancy’s Wildland Weeds Yatskievych, R. H. Mohlenbrock www.tncweeds.ucdavis.edu @ USDA-NRCS Plants Database, Dennis W. Woodland and Thomas On native plant alternatives and sources: Barnes @ USDA-NRCS Plants Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society Database. www.inpaws.org This grant project made possible with United States Forest Service funds administered by the IDNR, Division of Forestry.