Re: shrubby vinca in the tropics
- To: M*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Re: shrubby vinca in the tropics
- From: R* F* D*
- Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 22:49:17 -0500 (EST)
At 09:55 AM 11/23/1999 -0500, you wrote:
>Catharanthus roseus (=Vinca rosea) has long been naturalized throughout
>the tropics and in the West Indies is considered by some, including
>myself at times, to be a weed since it sets seed readily and the wind
>blows the seeds into every part of the garden. Everblooming throughout
>the year in sun or light shade and in wet and dry times alike, and
>difficult to eradicate once established. Rose-pink, and white with red
>eye, are the flower colors most often seen in the Caribbean. Have been
>thinking of trying the new Pacifica Red cultivar.
>
>Warm regards,
>
>William Glover
>New York/Nevis, W.I. (zone 12, or perhaps 13, never below 70F/21C at any
>rate)
Bill:
Catharanthus roseus has important medicinal uses: it is the source of
several vinca alkaloids used in treating cancer. The two important ones are
vincristine and vinblastine, both composed of two smaller alkaloids linked
together. Catharanthine and vindoline are found in much greater quantity.
These can be modified and coupled to make the much rarer and more useful
dimeric alkaloids.
So this plant was the Taxus (yew) of the mid 70s, being the focus of a lot
of research at that time. I spent over a year working on this problem at
the Oncology unit of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in
Baltimore, MD between 1972 and 1974.
Richard F. Dufresne
313 Spur Road
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-674-3105
