Accession Count: 9
Common Name:
yellow oleander
Family Name:
Apocynaceae
Botanical Name:
Cascabela thevetia
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Cascabela thevetia is a shrub or tree, growing to 30 feet tall and as wide. Its sessile leaves are lanceolate shaped, green and measure to about six inches long and 1/4 inches wide. The leaves are also poisonous. From summer to fall the yellow oleander displays scented, funnel shaped flowers that are yellow in color and are followed by a bright green fruit that turns black when mature (1).
Compound:
Cas the
Geographic Origin:
South America
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The yellow oleander is native to the tropical regions of South America, and has been introduced to some regions of North America and Asia (1).
Cultivation Notes:
Native to tropical regions, C. thevetia requires moderate water use, watering once to twice a month. This small tree thrives in warm and protected areas such as against warm walls, and grows best in full, sun, reflected sun, and part shade. The yellow oleander is not a hardy plant, only able to survive temperatures as low as 28oF. At such low temperatures in the winter, the foliage will take damage but later recover in the spring. Yearly frosts control the growth of the plant, but the tree can be grown in frost-free areas as well.
Ethnobotany:
The yellow oleander leaves, and seeds can very toxic if eaten. After consumption, one may experience a burning sensation in the mouth, diarrhea, dizziness, vomiting, and a slow or irregular heartbeat (2). In landscaping, C. thevetia's lush, dense foliage is used as a screen to shelter patios, atriums and entryways, giving a great tropical effect. In warm winter areas, the canopy makes for great shade for a small patio or as a small street tree (1).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Moderate 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. Fentanes, Emilio. “Eating Seeds from the ‘be Still’ Tree, yet Having Lucky Nut Poisoning: A Case of Acute Yellow Oleander Poisoning.” BMJ Case Reports 2014 (2014): bcr2013200392. PMC. Web. 7 Oct. 2018.
