Madagascar periwinkle
© Egon Krogsgasard
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is native to Madagascar. Due to deforestation and habitat loss, the plant has become rare in the wild. However, it is cultivated in many parts of the world, both as a garden plant in tropical and subtropical regions and as a houseplant in cooler climates. As early as spring, it can be placed in a conservatory, and during summer it thrives in containers on patios or when planted outdoors in the garden.
Two important medicines, vincristine and vinblastine, have been derived from Madagascar periwinkle. These compounds are used in the treatment of several types of cancer, including lymphoma and childhood leukaemia. However, the substances occur only in extremely small quantities in the plant. As a result, several tonnes of plant material may be required to produce the amount of active compound needed for a single course of treatment.
Today, both vincristine and vinblastine are produced by semisynthetic processes, in which precursor compounds are extracted from the plant and then chemically modified. Both medicines are included on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) List of Essential Medicines.
Facts:
- Greenhouse location: Tropical house
- Danish name: Purpurøje
- Latin name: Catharanthus roseus
- Family: Dogbane family / Apocynaceae
- Natural habitat: Madagascar