Catharanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae.

Seven are endemic to Madagascar,[4] though one, C. roseus, is widely naturalized around the world.

[2][5] The eighth species, C. pusillus, is native to India and Sri Lanka.

The plant produces about 130 of these compounds, including vinblastine and vincristine, two drugs used to treat cancer.

[8][9][10][11] Catharanthus roseus is also cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens.