https://www.gardenology.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=CatharanthusCatharanthus - Revision history2026-04-10T07:26:14ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.0https://www.gardenology.org/w/index.php?title=Catharanthus&diff=13960&oldid=prevWikiWorks at 17:34, 7 March 20082008-03-07T17:34:43Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br />
| color = lightgreen<br />
| name = ''Catharanthus''<br />
| image = Catharanthus roseus white CC-BY-SA.jpg<br />
| image_width = 240px<br />
| image_caption = White ''Catharanthus roseus''<br />
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae<br />
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]<br />
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]<br />
| ordo = [[Gentianales]]<br />
| familia = [[Apocynaceae]]<br />
| genus = '''''Catharanthus'''''<br />
| genus_authority = [[George Don|G.Don]]<br />
| subdivision_ranks = Species<br />
| subdivision = See text<br />
}}<br />
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'''''Catharanthus''''' ('''Madagascar Periwinkle''') is a genus of eight species of [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]]s, seven [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] to the island of [[Madagascar]], the eighth native to the [[Indian subcontinent]] in southern [[Asia]].<ref name=fom>Flora of Madagascar: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=12&taxon_id=105876 ''Catharanthus'']</ref><ref name=grin>Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?2178 ''Catharanthus'']</ref><br />
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;Species<br />
*''[[Catharanthus coriaceus]]'' Markgr. Madagascar.<br />
*''[[Catharanthus lanceus]]'' (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon. Madagascar.<br />
*''[[Catharanthus longifolius]]'' (Pichon) Pichon. Madagascar.<br />
*''[[Catharanthus ovalis]]'' Markgr. Madagascar.<br />
*''[[Catharanthus pusillus]]'' (Murray) G.Don. Indian subcontinent.<br />
*''[[Catharanthus roseus]]'' (L.) G.Don. Madagascar.<br />
*''[[Catharanthus scitulus]]'' (Pichon) Pichon. Madagascar.<br />
*''[[Catharanthus trichophyllus]]'' (Baker) Pichon. Madagascar.<br />
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==Uses and cultivation==<br />
The species are self-propagating from seed; the seeds require a period of total darkness to germinate. Cuttings from mature plants will also root readily.<br />
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One species, ''C. roseus'', has been widely cultivated and introduced, becoming an [[invasive species]] in some areas.<br />
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==Pharmacological uses==<br />
[[Image:Madagascar periwinkle (Curtis).jpg|thumb|Illustration of ''C. roseus'' foliage and flowers]]<br />
''C. roseus'' has gained interest from the [[pharmaceutical]] industry; the [[alkaloid]]s [[vincristine]] and [[vinblastine]] from its sap have been shown to be an effective treatment for [[leukaemia]]. Although the sap is poisonous if ingested, some 70 useful alkaloids have been identified from it. In Madagascar, extracts have been used for hundreds of years in [[herbalism|herbal medicine]] for the treatment of [[diabetes]], as [[hemostatic]]s and [[tranquilizer]]s, to lower [[blood pressure]], and as [[disinfectant]]s. The extracts are not without their side effects, however, which include [[hair loss]].<br />
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===Vinca alkaloids=== <!--Vinca alkaloids redirects here--><br />
'''Vinca [[alkaloid]]s''' are [[mitotic inhibitor|anti-mitotic]] and anti-[[microtubule]] agents. They are nowadays produced synthetically and used as [[medication|drugs]] in [[cancer]] therapy and as [[immunosuppressive drug]]s. These compounds are [[vinblastine]], [[vincristine]], [[vindesine]] and [[vinorelbine]]. Periwinkle extracts and derivatives, such as [[vinpocetine]], are also used as [[nootropic]] drugs.<ref name=dd>DrugDigest: [http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,4108,00.html ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref><br />
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''[[Catharanthus lanceus]]'' contains up to 6% [[yohimbine]] in its leaves.<ref>[http://shaman-australis.com.au/shop/index.php?cPath=21_26_66 Madagascan Periwinkle]</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}</div>WikiWorks