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Nerium oleander

Accession Count: 486
Common Name: oleander
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Family Name: Apocynaceae
Botanical Name: Nerium oleander
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:

Oleanders are shrubs with dull green leaves. These leaves are 10 inches long and have an opposite, sessile, lanceolate arrangement. The oleander has invasive roots and poisonous leaves.
Compound: Ner ole
Geographic Origin: Mediterranean
Ecozone Origin: Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The N. oleander dates back to ancient Greek, it was called "laurel". In ancient Greek there were oracles and they would have prophecies usually induced by a plant. For a long time the plant Pythia was thought to have the hallucinogenic properties. However, the oleander has similar symptoms as the Pythia but a review by contemporary toxicological literature relieved that the Greek oracle of Delphi was taking oleander (2). 
Cultivation Notes:

Oleanders can tolerate poor soil and older plants can be trimmed up as trees, revealing gnarled single or multiple trunks. These shrubs are commonly pruned to shape. There are many trademarked varieties available.
Ethnobotany:

Oleanders have landscape value as a border, barrier, or hedge shrub.
Height: 16 - 20 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Spring
Flower Season: Fall
Color: Pink
Function: Screen
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Invasive
Toxicity: Toxic
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
  1. Duffield, Mary Rose., and Warren D. Jones. Plants For Dry Climates - How To Select, Grow And Enjoy. Lane Publishing Company, 1992.
  2. muse.jhu.edu
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Nerium oleander