A perennial herbaceous plant native and endemic to Madagascar, the Madagascar periwinkle is a member of the Apocynaceae family. The plant is famous for the use of its molecules in the treatment of diabetes and the chemotherapy of many cancers.  It is an ornamental plant in Europe.

The Madagascar periwinkle grows in humid areas and in dry, almost arid areas. It can be found at sea level and up to 1,500 metres above sea level.
It is found in meadows, crops, open forests and along roadsides.
It is cultivated and naturalized in the tropics.

The stems of the periwinkle have opposite leaves. They are erect, oblong and glossy, and measure between 5 and 7 cm in length. It is a perennial, its hardiness is limited to 5-7 °C. The plant is poisonous.
The flowers are pink, red or sometimes white. They have five asymmetrical petals. The stigma is yellow.

The plant grows in all regions of the island of Madagascar.