December 16, 2025

This is a Madagascar Periwinkle

It can have white, pink or purple flowers

Certain fungi

Cause this plant to die

As can exposure to too many rain showers.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP112

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

May 9, 2025

This is Madagascar Periwinkle

It makes a pretty herbaceous ground cover

But it only thrives in drier environments

With too much water, it gets root rot and keels over.

Location: Possum Long Nature Center, Stuart

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP112

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

March 12, 2018

Location: Satellite Beach, Samsons Island

These are Madagascar Periwinkles
They are used to fight diabetes and cancer.
Who knows what other plants might help humans?
Maintaining biodiversity will help find more answers.

Sources: Kewscience Plants of the World Online - Catharanthus roseus
GreenFacts - Biodiversity and Human Well-being

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 18, 2018

Location: Satellite Beach, Samsons Island

Welcome to the first official video edition of Dee at 8 a.m. Today I take you on a poorly filmed tour of the beautiful Samson Island in Satellite Beach.  I apologize in advance for the videography. In the future, I think I will either use a tripod or get someone who is steadier than I to do the filming.  This video is close captioned.


Video © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 30, 2017

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

This is the Madagascar Periwinkle,
It can self-pollinate or be pollinated by bugs.
It contains many toxic alkaloids,
Which are used in cancer-fighting drugs.

Sources: Encyclopedia of Life: Catharanthus roseus - Madagascar Periwinkle

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson