Pretty Yet Powerful
By: Ariel G
Age 17
Atlanta, Georgia USA
By: Ariel G
Age 17
Atlanta, Georgia USA
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Imagine the African savanna —a dry, hot, and unforgiving region where only the most relentless plants can survive— then off the coast, there is this vine of pretty pink flowers that seems almost out of place. These flowers are the Madagascar Periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, and are sometimes referred to as Bright Eyes (Catharanthus roseus-Factsheet). The entire flower is the embodiment of "pretty yet powerful," due to its delicate appearance and many useful purposes. The Madagascar Periwinkle flower has a fan shape, triangular petals, and a darker hot pink center that becomes paler to a softer, blush pink at the tips of the petals. The plant grows as a small bush-like plant that generally grows as ground cover and can rapidly spread across vines and trees (North Carolina Extension Gardner).
Despite its delicate facade, this powerful plant can survive harsh climates. The Madagascar Periwinkle is native to Madagascar and is normally found along the coastlines. It can also tolerate many different soil types (Catharanthus roseus-Factsheet). The flower is also very resilient and strong, blooming all summer, even during heat stress. This drought- |
Photo credit: Ariel G
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resistant plant provides nectar to butterflies and moths who pollinate them and later creates seeds dispersed through the harsh climate by ants, wind and water. This resilience has caused the flower to become a popular ornamental plant in East Africa (Catharanthus roseus-Factsheet). These advantages have also caused the plant to be considered an invasive weed in some areas, such as Kenya, even though it is not necessarily harmful to wildlife (Catharanthus roseus-Factsheet). Despite its hardiness, deforestation and human actions have caused the flower to become endangered in its natural habitat.
In addition to surviving a harsh environment, the Madagascar Periwinkle is also powerful because it has shown to have anti-cancer effects and other medicinal purposes. The stem and leaves produce chemicals called alkaloids that are used in the treatment of different kinds of cancer, such as breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and lymphoblastic leukemia (Mishra & Verma; Clark). The flower has also been traditionally used to treat diabetes back in World War II (Catharanthus roseus-Factsheet). The extracts of the leaves and flowers have shown to lower blood sugar levels (Mishra & Verma). While other modern medicines have proven more effective in treating diabetes, the flower is still used by pharmaceutical companies as a remedial alternative (Mishra & Verma). The alkaloids in the plant can also be used to treat mouth ulcers, and other extracts have shown to have antibacterial properties that are useful against harmful microorganisms which can cause infections (Mishra & Verma). Although the Madagascar Periwinkle is a beautiful flower, it is still powerful and a valuable plant that needs to be protected from endangerment.
The Madagascar Periwinkle stood out to me because it seemed intricate and complicated. This flower is truly "pretty yet powerful." The flower is a beautiful color and does not look like it would have any other purpose other than to be beautiful, but in actuality, it is this powerful plant that can help treat cancer and survive in the harsh climate of Africa. The flower reminds me of a powerful woman as she stands before a crowd. She is presentable and knows all of her stuff; she is pretty yet powerful. I wish to be exactly like that, which is why I connected to the Madagascar Periwinkle. The Madagascar Periwinkle is an important, interesting plant that deserves to be recognized and protected.
In addition to surviving a harsh environment, the Madagascar Periwinkle is also powerful because it has shown to have anti-cancer effects and other medicinal purposes. The stem and leaves produce chemicals called alkaloids that are used in the treatment of different kinds of cancer, such as breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and lymphoblastic leukemia (Mishra & Verma; Clark). The flower has also been traditionally used to treat diabetes back in World War II (Catharanthus roseus-Factsheet). The extracts of the leaves and flowers have shown to lower blood sugar levels (Mishra & Verma). While other modern medicines have proven more effective in treating diabetes, the flower is still used by pharmaceutical companies as a remedial alternative (Mishra & Verma). The alkaloids in the plant can also be used to treat mouth ulcers, and other extracts have shown to have antibacterial properties that are useful against harmful microorganisms which can cause infections (Mishra & Verma). Although the Madagascar Periwinkle is a beautiful flower, it is still powerful and a valuable plant that needs to be protected from endangerment.
The Madagascar Periwinkle stood out to me because it seemed intricate and complicated. This flower is truly "pretty yet powerful." The flower is a beautiful color and does not look like it would have any other purpose other than to be beautiful, but in actuality, it is this powerful plant that can help treat cancer and survive in the harsh climate of Africa. The flower reminds me of a powerful woman as she stands before a crowd. She is presentable and knows all of her stuff; she is pretty yet powerful. I wish to be exactly like that, which is why I connected to the Madagascar Periwinkle. The Madagascar Periwinkle is an important, interesting plant that deserves to be recognized and protected.
Bibliography
“Catharanthus Roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle).” Factsheet - Catharanthus Roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle),
keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Catharanthus_roseus_(Madagascar_Periwinkle).htm.
“Catharanthus Roseus.” Catharanthus Roseus (Annual Vinca, Madagascar Periwinkle, Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, Running Myrtle, Vinca) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/catharanthus-roseus/.
Clark, Sara. “Milestone Research on Madagascar Periwinkle Uncovers Pathway to Cancer-Fighting Drugs.” Duke Lemur Center, 7 May 2018, lemur.duke.edu/milestone-research-on-madagascar-periwinkle-uncovers-pathway-to-cancer-fighting-drugs/.
Greenway, Ariel. Madagascar Periwinkle. 2022. Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia
Mishra, Jai Narayan, and Navneet Kumar Verma. “A Brief Study on Catharanthus Roseus: A Review - Researchgate.” ResearchGate, Mar. 2017, www.researchgate.net/profile/Navneet-Verma/publication/319007421_A_brief_study_on_Catharanthus_Roseus_A_review/links/598ad641aca272435857d010/A-brief-study-on-Catharanthus-Roseus-A-review.pdf.
“Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Nov. 2019, www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/pseudomonas.html.
“Catharanthus Roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle).” Factsheet - Catharanthus Roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle),
keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Catharanthus_roseus_(Madagascar_Periwinkle).htm.
“Catharanthus Roseus.” Catharanthus Roseus (Annual Vinca, Madagascar Periwinkle, Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, Running Myrtle, Vinca) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/catharanthus-roseus/.
Clark, Sara. “Milestone Research on Madagascar Periwinkle Uncovers Pathway to Cancer-Fighting Drugs.” Duke Lemur Center, 7 May 2018, lemur.duke.edu/milestone-research-on-madagascar-periwinkle-uncovers-pathway-to-cancer-fighting-drugs/.
Greenway, Ariel. Madagascar Periwinkle. 2022. Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia
Mishra, Jai Narayan, and Navneet Kumar Verma. “A Brief Study on Catharanthus Roseus: A Review - Researchgate.” ResearchGate, Mar. 2017, www.researchgate.net/profile/Navneet-Verma/publication/319007421_A_brief_study_on_Catharanthus_Roseus_A_review/links/598ad641aca272435857d010/A-brief-study-on-Catharanthus-Roseus-A-review.pdf.
“Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Nov. 2019, www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/pseudomonas.html.
Editor's note
Wildlife In Spotlight collaborated with ten students who attended the Summer High School Leadership Summit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. As part of Ariel's seven-week program, she had to research, write and present on a plant of her choice. She met with horticulturists, conservationists and other experts to explore the Garden's collections and gather information to write her article. Students were encouraged to select plants that not only interested them, but also had ecological, ethnobotanical, or economic value.
Many thanks to Lorin Boren, School Program Assistant Manager, Atlanta Botanical Garden for coordinating and facilitating this partnership!
Wildlife In Spotlight collaborated with ten students who attended the Summer High School Leadership Summit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. As part of Ariel's seven-week program, she had to research, write and present on a plant of her choice. She met with horticulturists, conservationists and other experts to explore the Garden's collections and gather information to write her article. Students were encouraged to select plants that not only interested them, but also had ecological, ethnobotanical, or economic value.
Many thanks to Lorin Boren, School Program Assistant Manager, Atlanta Botanical Garden for coordinating and facilitating this partnership!