 The genus name probably derives from the Latin word "vincire", meaning "bind", as the long creeping vines were used to prepare garlands.The species name "major" refers to the larger size in respect of the similar "Vinca minor" L.

"Vinca major" is a trailing vine, spreading along the ground and rooting along the stems to form dense masses of groundcover individually 2–5 m across and scrambling up to 50–70 cm high.The leaves are opposite, nearly orbicular at the base of the stems and lanceolate at the apex, 3–9 cm long and 2–6 cm broad, glossy dark green with a leathery texture and an entire but distinctly ciliate margin, and a hairy petiole 1–2 cm long.