Lesser periwinkle

[APC]

Hi there,

Part of the woodland I manage is carpetted, to the detriment of all other species, in what appears to be lesser periwinkle. I have been asked to look into controlling it, perhaps by chemical means. I have a few questions though:

Is it native to the UK? I have found conflicting advice that suggests it is native or that it is naturalised.

If it is native, am I allowed to control it? I assume that it would have exactly the same right to be there as any other plant species.

If it can be controlled, what are the preferred means? I estimate that there is a solid cover of around 100m, 30cm deep. There are no other plant species on this area.

I think it's origin would be the adjacent landscape parkland, also managed by us.

[aeshna5]

None of the periwinkles, Vinca spp, are native to the UK, though at least 2 V. major + V. monor are often seen as escapes from cultivation.

[KeenTeen17]

I have never seen them wild. I have only ever seen them in parks or in woodlands close to gardens

[davidbr]

According to Clement & Foster's Alien Plants of the British Isles, Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is probably native at least in places in the UK, although most records certainly relate to escapes (I come across it pretty commonly in and around Bristol, almost always within 100 yards of a garden )

Legally you wouldn't have a problem controlling it, all you need is the landowner's permission which presumably you already have. Personally, though, unless it was threatening any rarities, I'd urge you to leave well alone; I never like the idea of meddling with these introduced species, in the majority of cases they're a welcome & colourful addition to a British flora that's rather impoverished compared to mainland Europe.

[APC]

Hi there, thanks for the replies.

We are based just outside of Portsmouth and I think that it has encroached from the "gardens" part of the site into our coppice coops. I think that if it is likely to be native to this area, then I will make plans to control its spread rather than erradicate it, so that it's presence is limited to a small area rather than have it take over all the ground cover.


Thanks again,

Adam

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by APC

Hi there, thanks for the replies.

We are based just outside of Portsmouth and I think that it has encroached from the "gardens" part of the site into our coppice coops. I think that if it is likely to be native to this area, then I will make plans to control its spread rather than erradicate it, so that it's presence is limited to a small area rather than have it take over all the ground cover.


Thanks again,

Adam

Looking in the BSBI atlas it is apparently a native in England in some upland areas, so will be an escape from cultivation in your area. Have to say I'd always considered it a garden escape + haven't seen any obvious wild plants- not surprising in the south-east!