A friend sent me seeds of what he says is a 'rare' Vinca, white with a red center. Does anyone know what species or cultivar this is, and if it is indeed rare?

I often see a Vinca that looks like yours so I doubt that it is rare. I do not know the cultivar.

with porkpal. I see this variety quite regularly in my area, and even had some come up in my garden, along with my pink. I also do not know the cultivar, but I don't think it's that rare.

Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)

It's a colorful annual that withstands the wicked heat of the south.

Many here in Florida think of them as weeds because they will pop up in flower beds, sidewalk cracks etc. etc. but when planted in mass they sure are pretty and they can withstand heat, humidity, drought ... whatever is thrown at them!

We have the Vinca pop up here a lot too, mostly the pink one. I was just wondering - since my friend claimed this - if the white with red center was unusual. Maybe it's just rare in his area...

Hi Hetty.

That looks very much like one of the 'Pacifica' series vincas. There are a number of Pacifica + something hybrids.

Your picture looks like Pacifica Polka Dot hybrid.

http://parkseed.com/pacifica-p...

Thank you Jean.

Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus 'Pacifica Polka Dot')

You are most welcome. I have had some for a few years now. They are a perennial used as an annual. A few here survive the winter, and some come back from seed.

Thanks for the added info Lin.