NERIUM OLEANDER

Family and Genus:- See- APOCYNACEAE

Common Names:- Oleander

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Nerium (Gr) A name used by the Greek physician Dioscorides for

oleander.

Oleander (L) Derived from the old Latin name oleandra for the olive-like

foliage.

General description:- Robust evergreen shrub.

Stems:-

1) To 4 m, erect, rather whippy, exuding a milky latex when cut.

Leaves:-

1) Opposite or in whorls of 3 or 4, linear to lanceolate, coriaceous, rather dull green.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, in a terminal corymbose, pink, red or white, fragrant.

2) Corolla, cylindrical below, infundibuliform above, throat wide, 30-40 mm. with 5

large, slender laciniate scales, lobes, imbricate to the right in bud.

3) Anthers, adhering to the stigma, with appendage. Disc absent.

Fruit:-

1) Follicles, connate until just before dehiscence.

2) Seeds, numerous, tomentose, apically comose.

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Comments:-

Every aspect of this plant is very poisonous.

Habitat:- By brooks and streambanks, seasonally dry, gravelly beds of small

watercourses. 0-700 m.

Distribution:- Throughout Greece, at low altitude; lacking in the interior and most of

the NE; frequently planted along roads. Widespread in the Mediterranean area, N

Africa and SW Asia. Widespread and common on Crete.

Flowering time:- May-Aug.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton