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Service Notice

The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The notice period started at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 +08:00 and will end at 12:00 pm on Friday, 1 January 2027 +08:00.

Vinca major L.
Blue Periwinkle

Reference
Sp.Pl. [Linnaeus] 1:209 (1753)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Creeping or scrambling perennial, herb, to 0.5 m high. Fl. blue, Jan to Dec. Cultivated & naturalised in disturbed areas.

Amanda Spooner, Descriptive Catalogue, 15 August 2007
Image

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren.
IMCRA Regions
WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Armadale, Augusta Margaret River, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Capel, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey, Kalamunda, Manjimup, Murray, Rockingham, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Waroona, Williams.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle.

General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Stem fragments, stolons. Dispersal. Soil, machinery, water. Seedbank persistence. Seed rarely matures.

Additional information. Origin. Mediterranean.

Suggested method of management and control. Hand pull small infestations, being careful not to leave stem fragments behind. Spray larger areas with 2 % glyphosate + Pulse® 2 mL/L; spray when plants have approximately 5 cm new growth in 8-12 weeks - repeat applications will be required. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Active Growth Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  
Flowering O O O O O Y Y Y Y Y Y O  
Herbicide Treatment Y Y Y Y               Y  
Manual Removal Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Bean, C. [revision by Russo, M.J.] (1988) Element stewardship abstract for Vinca major. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, USA. URL: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html - Accessed December 2007.
  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • DiTomaso, J.M., Kyser, G.B. et al. (2013) Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States. Weed Research and Information Centre, University of California.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Moore, C.B. & Moore, J.H. (2002) Herbiguide, the pesticide expert on a disk. Herbiguide, PO Box 44 Albany, Western Australia, 6330.
  • Moore, J.H. & Wheeler, J. (2008) Southern weeds and their control. DAFWA Bulletin 4744.