Shmida, A., Ivri, Y., and Cohen, D. The enigma of the oleander. [30] Unless they wish to harvest the seeds, many gardeners choose to prune away the seedpods that form on spent flower clusters, which are a drain on energy. Different names for oleander are used around the world in different locations, so, when encountering a plant with this appearance, regardless of the name used for it, one should exercise great care and caution to avoid ingestion of any part of the plant, including its sap and dried leaves or twigs. What Does Oleander Mean? Activated charcoal may also be administered to help absorb any remaining toxins. Nerium oleander is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. It is most commonly grown in its natural shrub form, but can be trained into a small tree with a single trunk. [citation needed], Oleander sap can cause skin irritations, severe eye inflammation and irritation, and allergic reactions characterized by dermatitis. They are so prolific that Galveston is known as the 'Oleander City'; an annual oleander festival is hosted every spring. [42], Poisoning and reactions to oleander plants are evident quickly, requiring immediate medical care in suspected or known poisonings of both humans and animals. Oleander (flowers) Nerium oleander. The red, pink, or white fluffy flowers form in small clusters. Snopes: Legend of Oleander-poisoning at Campfire. The showy corolla acts as a potent advertisement to attract pollinators from a distance, but the flowers are nectarless and offer no reward to their visitors. The genera most closely-related thus include the equally ornamental (and equally toxic) Adenium G.Don and Strophanthus DC. With pruning, oleander can be kept at a shrub height, or it can be trained into a small tree reaching between 10 and 18 feet tall. There is also a variegated form, 'Variegata', featuring leaves striped in yellow and white. Nerium oleander contains xylem and phloem, which aid in transportation in the plant. Oleander is a large, glabrous, ornamental evergreen shrub with a milky juice. Where is this species invasive in the US. This plant is a shrub or small tree in the dogbane family. Free-flowering varieties like 'Petite Salmon' or 'Mont Blanc' require no period of rest and can flower continuously throughout the year if the weather remains warm. Get to Know Oleander There is hardly a German family in the most arid parts of Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, but has its oleander trees. Origin: Mediterranean area, Mid East and China 8. evergreen, woody plant 9. Oleander grows to 2–6 m (6.6–19.7 ft) tall, with erect stems that splay outward as they mature; first-year stems have a glaucous bloom, while mature stems have a grayish bark. Watch for mealybugs, aphids and scale. [15] Further medical attention may be required depending on the severity of the poisoning and symptoms. Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a fragrant flowering evergreen shrub or small tree that is in bloom from spring through fall. $22.50$22.50. Plant Family: Apocynads (Apocynoideae) 2. Oleander is a good choice for informal hedges, shrub borders, and screen plantings. Nerium is a genus of one species – Nerium oleander that is native to Europe and Asia. Few plants can rival the showy flowers of oleander shrubs (Nerium oleander). socotranum, trunks of extreme pachycaul specimens, Socotra, Strophanthus gratus - note corona like that present in Nerium flower, Strophanthus petersianus: flowers, showing streamer-like corolla lobes, Spectacular flowers of Strophanthus speciosus, "Arali" redirects here. ", "Will freeway oleander survive the drought? [32] Once they are dormant they require little light and only occasional watering. Nerium oleander (oleander) is an evergreen shrub of the Apocynaceae family that thrives principally in subtropical regions. The effect on the central nervous system may show itself in symptoms such as drowsiness, tremors or shaking of the muscles, seizures, collapse, and even coma that can lead to death. Nerium obesum) single flower, Adenium obesum var. It holds up well as a street planting. [42] Induced vomiting and gastric lavage are protective measures to reduce absorption of the toxic compounds. In Zones 8-10, these plants are used in a variety of landscape applications including hedges, screens, foundation plantings and borders. Here’s what you need to know. 79. The gastrointestinal effects can consist of nausea and vomiting, excess salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea that may contain blood, and especially in horses, colic. It is grown without protection in southern England and can reach great sizes in London and to a lesser extent in Paris[21] due to the urban heat island effect. Tweet; Description: It is an evergreen shrub (or small tree) that grows to approximately 6 m. A sticky latex is exuded if the stem is cut. Hardy to U.S. … The toxicity of oleander renders it deer-resistant and its large size makes for a good windbreak – as such it is frequently planted as a hedge along property lines and in agricultural settings. Widely cultivated as an ornamental shrub or as an informal hedge in warm climate areas, Nerium oleander is a beautiful medium-sized evergreen shrub. Some of the deaths from oleander are accidental but others are due to suicide. It's native to northern Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. Nerium oleander is either native or naturalized to a broad area spanning from Northwest Africa and Iberian peninsula eastward through the Mediterranean region, to the Arabian peninsula, southern Asia, and as far east as Yunnan in southern parts of China. Some dwarf cultivars stay as low as 3 to 5 feet. This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. Medical problems caused by plants: Plant Toxins, Cardiac Glycosides. Promptly deadhead spent blooms to prevent formation of non-ornamental seed pods. The origins of the taxonomic name Nerium oleander, first assigned by Linnaeus in 1753, are disputed. In the past, scented plants were sometimes treated as the distinct species, Tibesti-Jebel Uweinat montane xeric woodlands, "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, entry for, Bingtao Li, Antony J. M. Leeuwenberg, and D. J. Middleton. Shrubs will form a mounded shape up to 10 feet wide. Many cultivars are available in commerce with single or double flowers and in dwarf (2-4’ tall), medium (5-8’ tall) and large (9-20’ tall) plants. The slender, lance-shaped leaves have a smooth, leather-like feel. No serious insect or disease problems. Apple Blossom Nerium Oleander Semi-Tropical Plant Salt Tolerant Medium Pastel Pink Bloom Starter Size 4 Inch Pot Emerald Tm. Retrieved on 2009-07-27. [43], Drying of plant materials does not eliminate the toxins. Overwinter in a cool location (40s F.) with moderate light and very little water or as a houseplant in a bright sunny but cool room with reduced water. Erwin, Van den Enden. [6] ascribed to oleander's toxicity to humans. There is a wide range of toxins and secondary compounds within oleander, and care should be taken around this plant due to its toxic nature. White, pink or red five-lobed flowers grow in clusters year-round, peaking during the summer. Illustrated Lecture Notes on Tropical Medicine. A No-Fuss Evergreen Shrub with Huge Clusters of Red Flowers Some flowering shrubs are so labor-intensive that you may spend more time caring for them than enjoying their flowers. Oleander has formed the subject matter of paintings by famous artists including: This morning Thea saw to her delight that the two oleander trees, one white and one red, had been brought up from their winter quarters in the cellar. [15] Cardiac reactions consist of irregular heart rate, sometimes characterized by a racing heart at first that then slows to below normal further along in the reaction. Larvae of the common crow butterfly (Euploea core) and oleander hawk-moth (Daphnis nerii) also feed on oleanders, and they retain or modify toxins, making them unpalatable to potential predators such as birds, but not to other invertebrates such as spiders and wasps. Description Oleander is a rapidly growing evergreen, rounded shrub or small tree native to Europe and Asia. Hardy versions like white, red and pink oleander will tolerate occasional light frost down to −10 °C (14 °F), though the leaves may be damaged. Nerium oleander /ˈnɪəriəm ˈoʊliːændər/,[1] most commonly known as oleander or nerium, is a shrub or small tree belonging to subfamily Apocynoideae of the dogbane family Apocynaceae and is cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical areas as an ornamental and landscaping plant. In some protected areas mature plants may reach up to 20 feet tall. Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is prized by home gardeners for its showy, funnel-shaped blooms. Nerium N. Oleander 'Double Yellow' is a moderate growing shrub that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7B through 11. [41], Ingestion of this plant can affect the gastrointestinal system, the heart, and the central nervous system. [citation needed]. Xylem primarily transports water and other nutrients from the soil and phloem primarily transports sugars. If necessary, cut back dead, weak or frost-damaged stems to approximately 20cm above the ground, pruning to just above a set of leaves in early spring. The flowers grow in clusters at the end of each branch; they are white, pink to red,[Note 2] 2.5–5 cm (0.98–1.97 in) diameter, with a deeply 5-lobed fringed corolla round the central corolla tube. The sap can cause skin irritation. Smoke from burning plant material can also be quite toxic. In his book Enquiries into Plants of circa 300 BC, Theophrastus described (among plants that affect the mind) a shrub he called onotheras, which modern editors render oleander; "the root of onotheras [oleander] administered in wine", he alleges, "makes the temper gentler and more cheerful". The dried or fresh branches should not be used for spearing food, for preparing a cooking fire, or as a food skewer. For other uses, see, This article is about the species of plant. [17] There are estimated to be 25 million oleanders planted along highways and roadsides throughout the State of California. For this reason gardeners are advised to prune mature shrubs in the autumn to shape and induce lush new growth and flowering for the following spring. 1. A native of southwestern Europe and East Asia, oleander can be found growing in sunny sites in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 11. Oleander (Nerium oleander) is another extremely toxic ornamental shrub. [26] The actual flower referenced by Pliny was Azalea/Rhododendron, which is still used in Turkey to produce a hallucinogenic honey.[62]. [71], Unusual yellow-flowered variety. The fruit is a long narrow pair of follicles, which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy seeds. [58], There is an ancient account mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History,[52] who described a region in Pontus in Turkey where the honey was poisoned from bees having pollinated poisonous flowers, with the honey left as a poisonous trap for an invading army. Purple, pink or white five-petaled funnel-shaped flowers in clusters (terminal cymes). Placing them in a space with central heating and poor air flow can make them susceptible to a variety of pests – aphids, mealybugs, oleander scale, whitefly and spider mites. [13][14][15][16] It typically occurs around stream beds in river valleys, where it can alternatively tolerate long seasons of drought and inundation from winter rains. Isadore Dyer' Large clusters of large fragrant soft rosy pink double flowers, often with one or more petals streaked or flecked with white, are born over a long period on this reliable old favorite. Desai, Umesh R. Cardiac glycosides. 2004. Retrieved on 2009-07-27. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nerium&oldid=996006597, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2019, Taxonbars using multiple manual Wikidata items, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "The Terrace at Méric (Oleanders)", an 1867 Impressionist painting by, "The Rehearsal of the Flute Player and the Wife of Diomedes in the Atrium of Prince Napoleon's Pompeian House in Paris" (1861) by, Oleanders were famously referenced by the band, Oleander was used as a poison to kill mice, on, In the late 6th century/early 7th century AD, Oleander is the official flower of the city of, This page was last edited on 24 December 2020, at 01:04. Ther… Ingestion of larger amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and irregular heart rhythm. The Egyptians apparently called it scinphe, the North Africans rhodedaphane, and the Lucanians (a southern Italic people) icmane. Many cultivars, like 'Hawaii' or 'Turner's Carnival', are multi-colored, with brilliant striped corollas. It is tolerant to both drought and inundation, but not to prolonged frost. Plant saps can cause allergic skin reactions in some people. All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. Hardy White Oleander is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. In fact, because of its hardiness, the plant is considered invasive in certain parts of the Southwest and around the Gulf Coast. It is so widely cultivated that no precise region of origin has been identified, though it is usually associated with the Mediterranean Basin. From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals. The plant has been described under a wide variety of names that are today considered its synonyms:[11][12]. Container plants may be grown as shrubs or trained as ornamental standards. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to October. [6] They were found to have been planted in a decorative arrangement with citron trees (Citrus medica) alongside the villa's swimming pool. Their action is derived from inhibition of the plasmalemma (cell membrane) Na + /K + -ATPase. Carbonized fragments of oleander wood have been identified at the Villa Poppaea in Oplontis, likewise buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. However, its bitterness renders it unpalatable to humans and most animals, so poisoning cases are rare and the general risk for human mortality is low. A bacterial disease known as oleander leaf scorch has become an extremely serious threat to the shrub since it was first noticed in Palm Springs, California, in 1992. The genus Nerium is a monotypic (just one species, Nerium oleander) evergreen shrub that is native to Asia, North Africa, and Europe. Nerium oleander is the whole plant, consisting of the stems, leaves, flowers, and roots. [citation needed], Digoxin immune fab is the best way to cure an oleander poisoning if inducing vomiting has no or minimal success, although it is usually used only for life-threatening conditions due to side effects. Oleander is a vigorous grower in warm subtropical regions, where it is extensively used as an ornamental plantin parks, along roadsides and in private gardens. The plant belongs to the family Apocynaceae (the dogbane family), one of the largest plant families. Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine. Some scholars believe it to be the rhodon (rose), also called the 'Rose of Jericho', mentioned in apocryphal writings (Ecclesiasticus XXIV, 13)[49] dating back to between 450 and 180 BC.[50][51]. Oleander, Nerium, bears single or double flowers in various shade of white, yellow, pink, red, or purple from mid-spring to late summer. This medium-sized evergreen shrub produces an abundance of large loose clusters of five-petaled, funnel-shaped, red flowers all summer. The oleander (Nerium oleander), also called rose laurel, is the only species of its genus and belongs to the dog poison family (Apocynaceae). [22][23][24] This is also the case with North American cities in the Pacific Northwest like Portland,[25] Seattle, and Vancouver. For the multi-level marketing firm Nerium International, see, Other species in tribe Nerieae: Oleander's closest relatives within Apocynaceae. Leaves are usually in groups of three and narrowly lanceolate. Oh sure, if you're a full-time horticulturist, micromanaging the needs of certain finicky plants is all in a day's work. Barcelona Botanic Gardens: Plants of North Africa. It was first classified by Linnaeus, although some people dispute this. Height growth: up to 3 m 10. Nerium grows to 2–6 m (7–20 ft) tall. 2 photos. Kind: Oleander (Nerium oleander) 4. only kind of the plant genus Nerium 5. Among these compounds are oleandrin and oleandrigenin, known as cardiac glycosides, which are known to have a narrow therapeutic index and can be toxic when ingested. These plants are adaptable to a variety of soils, and they flourish in heat and full sun while also being drought-tolerant. They therefore receive very few visits, as typical of many rewardless flower species. Each flower has five petals that spread out like the blades of a fan. (eds.) ", "History - International Oleander Society", "Paris côté jardin Archives de mots clés Laurier Rose", "Jardin: Prolongez vous vos vacances en plantant in laurier-rose", "Shedding Light on Growing Oleanders Indoors", "Blooming Oleanders of the American Collection", "Gardening : Nerium oleander : Petite oleanders: Evergreen drought-tolerant dwarf shrubs with showy flowers", "Effects of inotropic and arrhythmogenic digoxin doses and of digoxin-specific antibody on myocardial monovalent cation transport in the dog", "2 Toddlers Died from Oleander Poisoning, Coroner Says", "Dozens of horses poisoned at California farm", "A Bittersweet Story: The True Nature of the Laurel of the Oracle of Delphi", "Gustav Klimt, Two Girls With An Oleander". Oleander (Nerieae) 3. The plant has a leaf like that of the almond, but smaller, and the flower is red like a rose. They may strive to avert the day, but they grapple with the tub at last. Since plants will tolerate some frost, consider leaving containers outside in fall until temperatures dip below 20 F. and return containers to a protected outdoor as soon as temperatures permit in spring. [18] Because of its durability, oleander was planted prolifically on Galveston Island in Texas after the disastrous Hurricane of 1900. [2] The genus name Nerium is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name for the plant nẽrion (νήριον), which is in turn derived from the Greek for water, nẽros (νηρός), because of the natural habitat of the oleander along rivers and streams. A 2014 article in the medical journal Perspectives in Biology and Medicine posited that oleander was the substance used to induce hallucinations in the Pythia, the female priestess of Apollo, also known as the Oracle of Delphi in Ancient Greece. (1992). Nerium oleander is in the same plant family as vinca and mandevilla, and you can see the family resemblance in the brightly colored, flared, tube-shaped flowers. [28] The disease has since decimated hundreds of thousands of shrubs mainly in Southern California, but also on a smaller scale in Arizona, Nevada and Texas. Caterpillars of the polka-dot wasp moth (Syntomeida epilais) feed specifically on oleanders and survive by eating only the pulp surrounding the leaf-veins, avoiding the fibers. Nerium oleander is planted in many subtropical and tropical areas of the world. [36] Other mammals, however, such as dogs and humans, are relatively sensitive to the effects of cardiac glycosides and the clinical manifestations of "glycoside intoxication". [18] The best method for preventing further spread of the disease is to prune infected oleanders to the ground immediately after the infection is noticed. All fresh or dry parts of the plant are toxic. [45] Symptoms of a poisoned horse include severe diarrhea and abnormal heartbeat. It belongs to (and gives its name to) the small tribe Nerieae of subfamily Apocynoideae of the dogbane family Apocynaceae. Most cultivars will grow to 8 to 12 feet tall and almost as wide. These murals include the famous garden scene from the House of Livia at Prima Porta outside Rome, and those from the House of the Wedding of Alexander and the Marine Venus in Pompeii.[56]. [57] Some variants tell of this happening to Napoleon's or Alexander the Great's soldiers. Retrieved on 2009-07-27. [30] Several dwarf cultivars have also been developed, offering a more compact form and size for small spaces. They require frequent heavy watering and fertilizing as compared to being planted in the ground, but oleander is nonetheless an ideal flowering shrub for patios and other spaces with hot sunshine. [28] This malaise can continue for several years until the plant completely dies—there is no known cure. [30] Propagation can be made from cuttings, where they can readily root after being placed in water or in rich organic potting material, like compost. - both of which contain (like Oleander) potent cardiac glycosides that have led to their use as arrow poisons in Africa. Water regularly but let plant soils dry out between waterings. These include 'Little Red', 'Petite White', 'Petite Pink' and 'Petite Salmon', which grow to about 8 feet (2.4 m) at maturity.[35]. A digitoxin-like cardiac glycoside, oleandrin, is responsible for this plant’s toxicity. Extremities may become pale and cold due to poor or irregular circulation. [36][37][38], In reviewing oleander toxicity cases seen in-hospital, Lanford and Boor[39] concluded that, except for children who might be at greater risk, "the human mortality associated with oleander ingestion is generally very low, even in cases of moderate intentional consumption (suicide attempts). Nerium oleander is a highly toxic plant from the Apocynaceae family. This fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree can be used in your garden as a living screen or wall. Die-back may cease during winter dormancy, but the disease flares up in summer heat while the shrub is actively growing, which allows the bacteria to spread through the xylem of the plant. Retrieved on 2009-07-27. It grows to heights between 6.5' and 19.5' tall and 6' to 10' wide. Common Name: Evergreen Oleander 6. altogether ca. The plant itself (which loves hilly country) forms a large bush; the root is red and large, and, if this is dried, it gives off a fragrance like wine. During the winter they should be moved indoors, ideally into an unheated greenhouse or basement where they can be allowed to go dormant. [Note 3] The fruit is a long narrow pair of follicles 5–23 cm (2.0–9.1 in) long, which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy seeds. Answers (1)ASK A DOCTOR. Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10. Pruning oleander (Nerium oleander) grown in the ground. Nerium oleander, commonly called oleander, is an upright, rounded evergreen sub-tropical to tropical shrub that is valued for its abundant, fragrant, summer to fall flowers. The ancient Greeks had several names for the plant, including rhododaphne, nerion, rhododendron and rhodon. Tough and vigorous, it produces abundant clusters of single or double flowers in shades of red, pink, white, cream, yellow or purple. Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a striking evergreen shrub characterized by long, lance-shaped leaves, a resilient disposition and fragrant blooms in shades of reds, pinks, yellow and white. The toxicity of oleander renders it deer-resistant and its large size makes for a good windbreak – as suc… , this article is about the species of plant Moody Gardens in Galveston,,! Typical of many rewardless flower species be used for spearing food, for preparing a fire... 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Ornamental standards clusters ( terminal cymes ) a popular summer potted plant readily available at nurseries.