Now well established in the Copse is the evergreen Vinca difformis. Straggly bootlace shoots are sent out over ground at a rate of knots. Occasionally rooting down at the leaf axils to send up a shoot so assuring the colony extends.

White five petalled flowers are produced regularly but not prolifically throughout the winter months.

It grows to just short of one metre in height scrambling through supporting vegetation. Preferring a semi shaded site it appreciates sunshine to develop the flower buds. Dark green evergreen foliage develops from light green almost chlorotic new growth. The leaves are set opposite on the shoot.

Native to Southern Europe into N.W. Africa. It was collected at low elevation by Ron McBeath from a plant growing in shaded Quercus ilex forest on the Balearic Island of Majorca during 1994.

Vinca difformis

Vinca difformis