Lesser periwinkle is a European species of Mediterranean origin, but the exact natural range of its distribution is unknown. In some geographical regions (e.g. in North America) lesser periwinkle is principally regarded as an invasive species, threatening native biodiversity. However, in Europe it was traditionally an indispensable part of indigenous knowledge. I aim to study especially its history in Central Europe, where its earliest appearance can be traced to the Roman Period. Various historical sources suggest that the plant has been known to have special magical and healing properties. Today, the plant is also used in archaeology as a botanical indicator of deserted Roman and medieval settlements, as it has often survived as a relic plant at their locations in the secondary forest over centuries.
Have you tried searching for flower or flora books at archive.org? They have some digitized books going back to the mid 1500s. There also is an 1870 book about vinca minor here https://archive.org/details/jstor-2475971.
Many thanks, James! I haven't combed through archive.org yet, so it is a useful tip! That 1870 piece seems just a snippet of information from a local botanical club journal, not a whole book, but nevermind. Will do my homework in this resource and hopefully something pops out! Thanks again. Best, Ladislav
Hi Ladislav,
I would suggest:
Werner Prange: Das Kleine Immergrün (Vinca minor L.) in Westdeutschland - eine Kulturreliktpflanze aus römischer Zeit. Schriften des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins für Schleswig-Holstein 66, 1996, 71–96.
http://www.schriften.uni-kiel.de/Band%2066/Prange_66_71-96.pdf
Best wishes,
Stefan
Oh yes - this is a classic publication! I knew this one but thank you anyway, Stefan!
Best regards,
Ladislav
Ladislav,
Here is the U.S. Department of Agriculture source reference page on vinca minor. It might be useful to you. http://plants.usda.gov/java/reference?symbol=VIMI2
In addition, I checked the Native American Ethnobotany database. They do not have it listed, only Madagascar periwinkle (Catheranthus roseus [L.] G. Don).
Here is the link to the database for your future reference. http://herb.umd.umich.edu/
Ladislav,
The best is new monograph of Peter Poschlod, Geschichte der Kulturlandschaft, Ulmer 2015, 100 (with references). Zdraví Jaromír
Hi Ladislav
Maybe there You can find some informations:
E. Referowska-Chodak 2014; Leśne pożytki w kontekście prawnej ochrony roślin lasów liściastych, "Studia i Materiały CEPL w Rogowie", 16(38): 69-88.
http://cepl.sggw.pl/sim/pdf/sim38_pdf/SIM_38_Referowska_1.pdf
E. Trzaskowska, P. Adamiec 2013; Sacrum i profanum w ogrodach przykościelnych, "Prace Komisji Krajobrazu Kulturowego PTG", 22: 129-141.
http://www.krajobraz.kulturowy.us.edu.pl/publikacje.artykuly/22.cmentarze/10.trzaskowska,%20adamiec.pdf
Best Regards
Maciej Wawrzczak
Maciej, thank you so much, these two papers were completely unknown to me! Very interesting.
Best,
Ladislav
James, the U.S. department of Agriculture has a very representative reference list for North America, thank you for that! The Native American Ethnobotany database is another valuable source of information, good to know that for future research.
Regards,
Ladislav
Thank you for this good idea, will do at some point. At the moment I have plenty of sources to work with. Best, Ladislav
Anil, thank you very much for this information. Is anything known about its history? Is it regarded as autochthonous plant or introduced by people? If yes, when and by who? Is there any relationship between patches of V. minor and places of historic significance (old settlements, castles, chapels, graveyards), as is the case in Europe?
I'll report you back very soon after going through old literature.
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