NERIUM OLEANDER

Family:- APOCYNACEAE

Common Names:- Oleander

Synonyms:- This plant has no Homotypic synonyms, but 47 Heterotypic

Synonyms. Link to List

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:-

a) to 4 m.

b) erect, rather whippy.

c) exuding a milky latex when cut.

Leaves:-

a) opposite or in whorls of 3 or 4.

b) narrow-elongated to lance-shaped.

c) leathery (coriaceous), rather dull green.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence:

a) in a terminal corymbose.

b) pink, red or white, fragrant.

2) Corolla:

a) cylindrical below, funnel-shaped (infundibuliform) above, throat wide,

30-40 mm. with 5 large, slender lobe-like (laciniate) scales.

b) lobes overlapping to the right in bud.

3) Anthers:

a) adhering to the stigma, with appendage. Disc absent.

Fruit:-

1) Follicles:

a) united until just before dehiscence.

2) Seeds:

a) numerous,

b) tomentose, apically comose.

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