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Wildlife Spotting

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26.5706, -80.0567

Field Notes

Description:

Less than a foot tall, flower diameter about 1 inch, related to phlox?

Habitat:

Sandy soil, full sun

Species ID Suggestions

Impatiens

Impatiens wallerana

Reference Link
KatCuff
1

Madagascar periwinkle

Vinca rosea
Seema
5

Comments (6)
ChimeTsetan
this is called Sadabahaar in Hindi which means flowers throughout the year or evergreen. Name itself shows how hardy it is. It is known to be an important plant in indian ayurvedic treatments. Even the ants seem to know the value of roots of this plant, since they are hell bent to reach the roots to eat them. Many of the flowers in our garden are withering away due to ants attack.
northstarhiker
Thanks for the ID help. I am leaning toward it being a periwinkle more than an impatient. It was found in a nature preserve know as the Barefoot Mail Man in Hypoluxo, Florida. The preserve is part of a habitat known as a Florida desert. Despite the high rainfall, this areas soil is composed of quartz sand so rain quickly percolates through, causing the area to be extremely arid. While it is preserved as a nature area, it used to be a homestead and that might explain how a periwinkle got to the area.
Planter
I agree with Seema. That thing is growing right on the beach. Impatiens don't do that. Madagascar Periwinkle will grow just about anywhere, especially sunny dry places. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharanthus_roseus
KatCuff
Seema is right. I included links to some of the research that's been done. But I think this maybe an impatien. http://www.ehow.com/how_8190877_tell-vincas-impatiens-apart.html http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8525236
Seema
Its root extract has anticancer compounds,namely vincristine and vinblastine
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 21, 2012

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