Catharanthus roseus

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# 02 Sadha Bahar 



Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Tribe: Vinceae
Genus: Catharanthus
Species: C. roseus

Scientific name: Catharanthus roseus

Common names: Madagascar periwinkle, rose periwinkle, Vinca, Cape periwinkle, Old-maid, etc.

Habit: Catharanthus roseus is an evergreen perennial plant that grows up to 1 meter tall and 1 meter wide. It has a bushy habit with an upright growth form and produces numerous branches.

Root: Catharanthus roseus has a fibrous root system that is shallow and wide-spreading. The roots are relatively thin and delicate, making the plant vulnerable to damage from disturbance or overwatering.

Stem: Catharanthus roseus stems are green, round, and slightly hairy. They are relatively slender and become woody with age. The plant produces multiple stems that are branched, creating a bushy appearance.

Leaf: The leaves of Catharanthus roseus are glossy, dark green, and ovate or elliptical in shape. They are arranged in pairs along the stem and have a prominent mid-vein. The leaves are simple, meaning they have one leaf blade, and can grow up to 9 cm long and 5 cm wide.

Flower: The flowers of Catharanthus roseus are typically pink, purple, or white and have a diameter of 2-5 cm. They are solitary or borne in cymes at the tips of the stems. The flowers are fragrant and have a funnel-shaped corolla with five petals that are arranged in a pinwheel-like shape. The corolla is typically 2-3 cm in length and has a long, slender tube that extends from the base of the flower.

Calyx: The calyx of Catharanthus roseus is green and consists of five sepals that are fused at the base. The sepals are narrow and pointed, and typically measure 0.5-1 cm in length.

Corolla: The corolla of Catharanthus roseus is composed of five petals that are fused at the base to form a funnel-shaped tube. The petals are typically 1-2 cm in length and have a broad, flat upper part and a narrow, pointed lower part. The corolla has a prominent central column that contains the reproductive structures of the flower.

Androecium: The androecium of Catharanthus roseus consists of five stamens that are fused to the base of the corolla tube. The stamens have a long, slender filament and a yellow anther that contains pollen.

Gynoecium: The gynoecium of Catharanthus roseus is located at the center of the flower and consists of a single compound pistil that has two carpels fused together. The pistil has a long, slender style and a flattened stigma that is divided into two lobes.

Fruit: The fruit of Catharanthus roseus is a pair of slender follicles that are up to 4 cm in length. The follicles are green when immature and turn brown as they mature. They split open along a central seam to release numerous small, brown seeds.

Floral formula: The floral formula for Catharanthus roseus is as follows:
P (5), A (5+5), G (2) [5] - where P represents the petals, A represents the stamens, G represents the carpels, and the numbers in parentheses indicate the number of each floral part. The bracket indicates that the stamens are fused to the base of the corolla tube.

Caring:
Catharanthus roseus is a relatively easy plant to care for. It requires well-draining soil, moderate watering, and full to partial sunlight. The plant prefers warm temperatures and can be grown in containers or in the ground. Deadheading the spent flowers can encourage the plant to produce more blooms, and pruning can help to control its size and shape.

Significance:
Catharanthus roseus is a significant plant due to its various uses. It is a popular ornamental plant that is grown for its attractive foliage and showy flowers. The plant is also used in traditional medicine for its medicinal properties, particularly as a treatment for cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The plant contains a variety of alkaloids, including vinblastine and vincristine, which are used in the production of chemotherapy drugs. Catharanthus roseus is also important in the production of horticultural plants. Through breeding and selection, various cultivars with different flower colors, sizes, and forms have been developed.

Economical Importance:
Catharanthus roseus is economically important due to its medicinal properties. The alkaloids found in the plant, particularly vinblastine and vincristine, are used in the production of chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat various types of cancer. These drugs are widely used around the world and are important in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and other types of cancer. The plant is also important in the horticultural industry due to its popularity as an ornamental plant. The plant is grown commercially and is used in landscaping, in containers, and in cut flower arrangements. The demand for Catharanthus roseus and its cultivars continues to grow as more people become interested in gardening and horticulture.

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