A commonly planted evergreen groundcover that persists and sometimes spreads from cultivation. In forests it is often encountered in the vicinity of old graveyards, which is why it is sometimes called "graveyard grass". Fortunately Common Periwinkle doesn't seem to spread from seed in North Carolina. It works well as a groundcover, much easier to keep under control than the Greater Periwinkle, but also prevents native wildflowers from growing. Compare with the petite native Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens), which also opposite evergreen leaves.

Chapel Hill, NC 3/4/06.