Nerium oleander
Common names
oleander
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Detailed description
Much-branched shrub to about 4 m high. Leaves opposite and shortly petiolate, to 15 x 2.5 cm on flowering shoots, to 25 x 4 cm on suckering shoots. Large pink flowers with reddish-purple calyx. Flowers are usually single but can be semi-double. Fruits are uncommon, but are up to 18 cm long when produced.
Similar taxa
Nerium is widely cultivated and over 400 varieties have been described, but there is just 1 species in the genus.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Persisting in the vicinity of old plantations.
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Apocynaceae
Ecology
Flowering
November, December, January, February, March.
Year naturalised
1950
Origin
Mediterranean region, S.W. Asia
Reason for introduction
Ornamental.
Tolerances
Appears restricted to the warmest parts of New Zealand.
Life cycle and dispersal
Seed is only formed when 2 or more varieties are grown together.
Other information
Poisonous plant
All parts of this plant are very poisonous.