Category:Periwinkle

Per"i*win`kle, n. Etym: [from as. pinewincla a shellfish, in which Pine- is fr. L. pina, pinna, a kind of mussel, akin to gr. Winkle.] (zoöl.)

Defn: any small marine gastropod shell of the genus littorina. The Common european species (littorina littorea), in europe extensively Used as food, has recently become naturalized abundantly on the American coast. See littorina.

Note: in america the name is often applied to several large Univalves, as fulgur carica, and f. canaliculata.

Periwinkle Per"i*win`kle, n. Etym: [oe. pervenke, as. pervince, fr. L. Pervinca.] (bot.)

Defn: a trailing herb of the genus vinca.

Note: the common perwinkle (vinca minor) has opposite evergreen Leaves and solitary blue or white flowers in their axils. In america It is often miscalled myrtle. See under myrtle.