Catharanthus
Catharanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. Like the genus Vinca, they are known commonly as periwinkles.<ref>Catharanthus. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> It is a perennial herb and a subshrub endemic to Madagascar,<ref name="jeps" /> with the exception of the Catharanthus pusillius species, which is found in India and Sri Lanka.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The most widely known species is Catharanthus roseus due to its renowned usage in traditional and modern medicine, specifically, as a source of cancer-treating alkaloid chemicals.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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MorphologyEdit
The plants of Catharanthus are perennial herbs that are subshrubby, often with prostrate or erect stems that branch from the base of the plant.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The genus was first described in 1837 by George Don. He characterized the plants by the morphological features of simple, opposite, or almost oppositely arranged leaves. The flowers are usually solitary in the leaf axils. Each has a calyx with five long, narrow lobes and a corolla with a tubular throat and five lobes that can be twisted.<ref name="jeps" /><ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Fruits are commonly made up of two divergent follicles that hold many seeds.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> The corolla varies in color shades of pink, purple, and white.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> There are nine known species. Eight are endemic to Madagascar,<ref name="mad">Catharanthus. Madagascar Catalogue. eFloras.</ref> though one, C. roseus, is widely naturalized around the world.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6">Template:Citation</ref><ref name=o>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:GRIN</ref> The ninth species, C. pusillus, is native to India and Sri Lanka.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>Template:GRIN</ref> The plant, as it has been observed up to this point, can inhabit up to 2000 m elevation, particularly those seen in the central plateau mountains.<ref name=":1" />
It has also been mentioned that the genus is closely associated with the genus Amsonia, but possesses distinct differences such as Catharanthus grows mostly solitary or in pairs, while Amsonia grows in groups.<ref name=":2" />
Historical TaxonomyEdit
The genus has undergone several taxonomic revisions since it was classified initially. The genus was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 with the species Vinca rosea (known now as Catharanthus roseus). Along with V. rosea, he distinguished two other species, Vinca major and Vinca minor. In 1828, Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach proposed a separation of V. rosea with the new name of Lochnera.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" /> However, the distinction and descriptions he intended to back up his proposal were not widely accepted in the world of botany and taxonomy. In 1838, it became an accepted proposition and name as Stephen Endlicher made a clear and valid distinction, which includes how Catharanthus is filiform while Vinca is narrowly obconical, Catharanthus is a perennial (a plant living longer than two years) herb or undershrub erect or procumbent, while Vinca is a perennial herb ascending.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Around the same time, George Don had first described his findings and formally proposed a new genus, Catharanthus. This was based on differences in morphological characteristics of other species in the Vinca genus and V. rosea. In 1844, Augustin Pyramus de Candolle further revised the classification of the genus, dividing Vinca into three sections: Lochnera, containing C. roseus, C. coriaceous, C. lanceus, C. longifolius, C. trichophyllus, and C. ovalis. C. pusillus was distinguished into a different section called Cupa Veela. After these taxonomic revisions and contributions occurred, the name Catharanthus was acknowledged more. In 1949, Pierre Pichon added C. scitulus to the Lochnera section and renamed it Androyella.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> More recently, in 2015, the genus was expanded further with the discovery of the species Catharanthus makayensis by Lucile Allorge, Peter B. Phillips on, and Richardson Razakamalala.<ref name=":1" /> C. roseus and C. trichophyllus are also known as sadabahar (in Hindi) and Chang Chung Hua (in Chinese).<ref name=":0" /> The name Catharanthus comes from the Greek for "pure flower".<ref name="jeps">Catharanthus. The Jepson eFlora 2013.</ref><ref name=":5" />
Species DescriptionsEdit
Catharanthus coriaceous Markgr. - MadagascarEdit
C. coriaceous is typically found in the northern areas or the central plateau of Madagascar, preferring a dry, rocky environment. The plants are relatively small at full growth (hardly ever grown more than 30 cm tall). The one-flowered plant has leaves that are 30mm long or less but are longer than the internodes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The follicles are erect or pedunculate, and the corolla is pink.<ref name=":2" />
Catharanthus lanceus (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon - MadagascarEdit
Commonly found in or on the central Plateau, preference for humid environments. The plant's leaves are relatively small, being shorter than the internodes. Unlike other species, C. lanceus branches out many a times and has several rosettes or flowers.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
Research has been conducted, isolating two alkaloids found in the root: Lanceine and Vinosidine.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Catharanthus longifolius (Pichon) Pichon - MadagascarEdit
Usually found in the mountainous areas in the southeast and northern areas of Madagascar. Named after its leaf shape, which is lanceolate as it grows. It is relatively small, with leaves being less then 9 mm wide. The corolla is pink with a yellow eye, and the lobes are white closest to the base.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7">Template:Cite journal</ref>
C. longifolius contains similar compound alkaloids as C. roseus such as Cathafoline, similar to the structure of Serpentine and Vindolinine.<ref name=":7" />
Catharanthus Makayensis (L. Allorge, Phillipson on, & Razakamal.) - MadagascarEdit
The newest species of the genus, C. makayensis, was discovered in 2015 by Mohamed Mezaga, Lucile Allorge, Peter B. Phillipson, and Richardson Razakamalala. It differed from other species in the genus with its hexangular cross-section stems.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It has smaller leaves (2 mm long) and a Corolla with a magenta eye and white lobes. It grows up to 60 cm tall. Only 2 samples have been found in the Makay Massif area in sandy soil and moist areas along river banks up to 400–600 m elevation.<ref name=":1" />
Catharanthus ovalis Markgr. - MadagascarEdit
C. ovalis is found in the southern areas of the Central Plateau and the southwest of Madagascar. The plant has glabrous stems and leaves with an oval shape. The leaves are sessile (petiole less than 1 mm long) and the corolla has a white or yellow eye and pink lobes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
Catharanthus pusillus (Murray) G. Don. - India, Sri Lanka, Western HimalayasEdit
Unlike other species in the genus, C. pusillus is a species of Catharanthus that is found in India and Sri Lanka and can be referred to as Sangkhi, Ran-kel, or Tiloni in Marathi, and many others.<ref name=":0" /> It is the smallest of the genus and is sometimes referred to as "Tiny Periwinkle" as well, growing up to 20 cm tall. The corolla is white with a yellow eye and the corolla tube can grow up to 11 mm long.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don. - Madagascar Periwinkle, old-maid, rosy Periwinkle, pink Periwinkle - Madagascar; naturalized in Italy, S Asia, Australia, S United States, Central America, India and various oceanic islandsEdit
The most widely known species, native to Madagascar, particularly the south-east and throughout the tropics, has been naturalized and cultivated globally. The plant is relatively large (30–100 cm) at full growth. The corolla is normally pink with a purple eye or white with a yellow eye.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />
Catharanthus scitulus (Pichon) Pichon - MadagascarEdit
C. scitulus inhabits the sub-arid south in low-lying, sandy soil. Stems spread into pseudo-dichotomous branching, coming together to form a rosette at each node.<ref name=":1" /> Similar to C. lanceus, the plant branches out more than the other species. The corolla is pink or violet at the lobes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />
Catharanthus trichophyllus (Baker) Pichon - Madagascar. Also known as Sadabahar or Baramasi in India.Edit
C. trichophyllus is found throughout the northern areas of Madagascar and extends down the east coast. It's corolla has reddish-pink lobes with a purple eye. Additionally, it has fruits that grow spirally. It's leaves are sub-sessile (petiole less than 1 mm long).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
C. trichophyllus contains alkaloids such as Vinblastine, Vincristine, Ajmalicine, etc. These alkaloids are also found in C. roseus and used to treat cancer, high blood pressure, and many other illnesses.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" />
UsesEdit
In the 1950s, Catharanthus roseus, known formerly as Vinca rosea, was heavily researched when India, and various countries in Africa and the Caribbean used it for its medicinal properties.<ref name=":4" /> It is a main source of vinca alkaloids, now sometimes called catharanthus alkaloids. The plant produces about 130 of these compounds, including vinblastine and vincristine, two drugs used to treat cancer.<ref name=":6" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> These alkaloids are typically used to treat cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and testicular cancer. A less commonly known alkaloid that the species holds is Ajmalicine (found in the root), used to treat high blood pressure/ diabetes. Traditionally, the medicinal properties of the plant extend to treating hyperglycemia, asthma, hypertension, malaria, various infections, and many more.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> The species was also briefly referenced when trying to find COVID-19 treatment through the extraction and usage of Jasmonic acid, Methylester, Peniclovir, and Putamonoxin B and D.<ref name=":6" /> Other traditional medicine uses the plant for leaf juice application on bee and wasp stings in India, eye wash for infants with flower extract in Cuba and Jamaica, treat insomnia in Malaysia, ease sore throats and laryngitis in America.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" />
Many of the species, primarily Catharanthus roseus, is also cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens. Several cultivars have been bred to produce flowers in many shades of pink, red, lilac, and white, or in light shades with dark throats.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>Catharanthus roseus. Missouri Botanical Garden.</ref>
Species<ref name="o" />Edit
- Catharanthus coriaceus Markgr. – Madagascar
- Catharanthus lanceus (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon – Madagascar
- Catharanthus longifolius (Pichon) Pichon – Madagascar
- Catharanthus ovalis Markgr. – Madagascar
- Catharanthus pusillus (Murray) G.Don. – India, Sri Lanka, Western Himalayas
- Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don. – Madagascar periwinkle, old-maid, rosy periwinkle, pink periwinkle – Madagascar; naturalized in Italy, S Asia, Australia, S United States, Central America, India and various oceanic islands
- Catharanthus scitulus (Pichon) Pichon – Madagascar
- Catharanthus trichophyllus (Baker) Pichon – Madagascar. It is also known as Sadabahar or Baramasi in India.