Vinca minor, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 69

1. V. minor L. , Sp. Pl. 209 (1753) .

Stems procumbent or ascending, over-wintering. Leaves 1 -5—4-5 x 0-5-2-5 cm, mostly lanceolate or elliptical (but often ovate on trailing shoots), rounded or cuneate at base, evergreen, glabrous. Flowering stems up to 20 cm; pedicels often longer than the subtending leaves. Calyx-lobes 3-4(-5) mm, narrowly ovate to narrowly triangular, glabrous. Corolla-tube 9-11 mm; limb 25-30 mm in diameter, usually blue; lobes obliquely truncate. 2« = 46. S., W. & C. Europe, extending eastwards to Lithuania and Krym. AuBeBuCoCzGaGe?GrHeHoHsHuItJuLuRmRs (B, C, W, K) Po Si [Br Da Hb No Su?Tu].

This species has been cultivated for many centuries and occurs as a relict of cultivation or of deliberate naturalization so often that the limits of its natural distribution are rather uncertain. By W. T. Stearn. There exist variants with white, pink, reddish-purple and violet flowers.