A common decorative, easy growing perennial herb, growing to a height of 15 - 20 cm.

Description

Distinguishing Features - Leaves: opposite, dark green, glossy, 4 cm long. Flowers: purplish-blue, 2.5 cm wide, borne singly in the leaf axils; corolla: funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, with whitish star in center. Fruit: brown, minute, inconspicuous.

Habitat

Native to Europe and Western Asia; introduced to North America; widespread throughout; in woods, roadsides and abandoned sites; on rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in partial shade.

Notes

Lesser Periwinkle are often grown as ornamental ground cover but can become invasive beyond its intended boundaries; it will easily creep onto lawn areas by its trailing and shallow root stems.

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