Nerium oleander
OleanderShrub to 6 m high. Leaves narrow-elliptic, 5–21 cm long, 1–3.5 cm wide, glabrous or puberulous, cuneate or decurrent into petiole, acute or shortly acuminate; petiole 3–10 mm long. Inflorescence to 10 cm long. Flowers funnel-shaped, 2–2.5 cm long, 3–6 cm diam.; pedicels 2–3 mm long. Sepals 3–10 mm long, pubescent. Corolla-tube 12–22 mm long, lobes obovate, 13–30 mm long, 8–25 mm wide; corona of 5 truncate appendages, each with 3–8 smaller linear or triangular lobes. Fruit (5.5–)7.5–17.5 cm long, 1–1.3 cm diam. Flowers throughout the year.
VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, GGr, HSF. An occasional garden escape (e.g. Zumsteins in the Grampians) and occasionally persisting in old gardens. Native to Asia and the Mediterranean region.
A commonly grown, ornamental plant. All parts are highly poisonous.
