Catharanthus roseus
Madagascar Periwinkle
Known in the Caribbean as 'zèb à sosyé' or 'kaka poul', this tropical plant is found in many Creole gardens. Very resilient, it flowers almost all year round in tropical climates.
Visible in the garden
's Species Profile
Native to Madagascar, this plant has spread widely throughout tropical regions. It is valued for its continuous flowering and its uses in local medicinal traditions. Its flowers also attract various pollinating insects.
Family:
Apocynaceae
Geographical origin:
Madagascar
Size:
30cm to 1m
Flowering:
All year round (tropical climate / Caribbean)
Habitat:
Sunny tropical zones and well-drained soils
Class:
Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Order:
Gentianales
A well-known medicinal plant in the Caribbean
The 'zèb à sosyé' is a tropical plant valued for its small, colorful flowers and ease of cultivation. Very common in Creole gardens, it is also used in certain traditional local preparations.
This plant is also studied in the medical field thanks to the molecules naturally present in its leaves. Like the desert rose (Adenium obesum) or the Ginger Bush (Tetradenia riparia), it belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Its abundant flowering attracts many pollinators.
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