Mediterranean region and is also found in Southern Europe and Southwest Asia
Shapes
Elongated, 3 to 6 inches long
An evergreen ornamental shrub belonging to dogbane family Apocynaceae and reaches the height of 12 feet. It is an exclusive species which is classified in genus Nerium. Native to Mediterranean region, it could also be found in Southern Europe and Southwest Asia. It is naturalized in Morocco, Mauritania and Portugal eastward through Mediterranean region and Sahara, Southern Asia, Arabian peninsula and as fat East as Yunnan in southern parts of China. It prefers warm subtropical regions and is extensively grown as ornamental plant in landscapes, parks and along roadsides.
It ordinarily occurs around dry stream beds. The plant thrives in hot and mild climates and is tolerable to drought, high salt content in soil and poor drainage. Oleander is propagated by seed but as a highly heterozygous and allogamous, it has greater variability in seedling populations. Furthermore, the alluring flowers of this plant are a hazard for accidental ingestion. But the plant is used in homicides and folk medicines. All parts of the plant possess cardiac glycosides which includes roots.
Other common names for Oleander are Adelfa, Cascabela thevetia, Baladre, Common Oleander, Cerbera thevetia, Exile Tree, Jia Zhu Tao, Huang Hua Jia, Kaner, Karvir, Laurel Rosa, Karvira, Laurier-Rose, Laurier Rose, Nérier à Feuilles de Laurier, Laurose, Nérion, Nerium Oleander, Nerium indicum, Nerium odorum, Oleandre, Oleander blatter, Oleandri folium, Rose Laurel, Rose Bay, Sweet Scented Oleander, Thevetia peruviana, Thevetia neriifolia and Yellow Oleander.
Plant description
Oleander grows 12 feet high with erect stems splaying outward when mature. In the first year, stems are glaucous and when matured have grayish bark. Leaves form in pairs or whorls of three, usually leathery, thick, dark green, narrow lanceolate and measures 5 to 21 cm long and 1-3.5 cm (0.39-1.4 in) broad with entire margin. It resembles the leaves of olive and bay trees. Flowers bloom in clusters at the end of each branch usually in spring and summer. Flowers are white, pink to red about 2.5-5 cm (0.98-2 in) diameter and have five petals with deeply 5-lobed fringed corolla round the central corolla tube. It resembles a tiny rose. Flowers give way to a long and narrow capsule 3-6 inches long which splits open when matured in order to release diverse downy seeds.
Use the leaves decoction to wash the affected areas.
Venomous bite
Apply the leaves juice externally.
Heart pain
Take 100 to 200 mg of root bark after meals. It causes heavy urination curing heart pain. It also cures other problems associated to heart.
Headache
Crush Oleander flowers with Indian gooseberry in kanji (a fermented drink made with beets, carrots and mustard). Apply this paste on forehead for immediate relief.
Piles
Apply the root paste to boils.
Eczema
Use the root bark oil on affected areas. It is a cure for all types of eczema, dermatose and itching.
Contagious diseases
Massage the leaves oil for any contagious/monsoonal diseases. It prevents the micro-organisms growth.
Itching
Apply the oil prepared from Oleander leaves.
Precautions
The entire plant consists of toxic cardiac glycosides. Roots and seeds contain more.
The smoke from the plant and also the water in which plant is immersed is toxic.
The symptoms for oleander toxicity: nausea, pain in oral cavity, abdominal pain, emesis, diarrhea and cramping.
Any part when ingested causes vomiting, nausea, bloody diarrhea, irritation to mucosal membranes, increased salivation, burning around mouth, dizziness, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, cardiac abnormalities, visual disturbances, bradycardia, tachyarrhuthmias, ventricular dysrhuthmias and heart block.
Intake of flowers is also harmful.
Rash occurs with a skin contact with sap of oleander leaves.
It is regarded to be toxic for consumption for humans as well as animals.
Not recommended to use in lactation, pregnancy and in children.
