Madagascar periwinkle

This small shrub belongs to the Apocynaceae family. The plants grow to a height of between 40 and 80 centimetres. Larger specimens may develop a small, woody stem. The flowers are violet, pink or white. The flowering season in Madagascar lasts from March to October. The plant is endemic; it originates from Madagascar. Its distribution extends to many tropical regions. It is sold in specialist shops under the name ‘indoor evergreen’ as an ornamental plant. All parts of the plant are highly poisonous. The active ingredients are used in medicine as a treatment for leukaemia (blood cancer) and lymph node cancer. However, prolonged treatment or an overdose can lead to significant side effects.