Description

A seed capsule spreading seeds

Oleander grows to 26 m (6.619.7 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. The leaves are
in pairs or whorls of three, thick and leathery, dark-green, narrow lanceolate, 521 cm (2.0
8.3 in) long and 13.5 cm (0.391.38 in) broad, and with an entire margin. The flowers grow in
clusters at the end of each branch; they are white, pink to red,[Note 2] 2.55 cm (0.981.97 in)
diameter, with a deeply 5-lobed fringed corolla round the central corolla tube. They are often, but
not always, sweet-scented.[Note 3] The fruit is a long narrow capsule 523 cm (2.09.1 in) long,
which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy seeds.

Habitat and range

Oleander shrub, Morocco
N. oleander is either native or naturalized to a broad area from Mauritania, Morocco, and
Portugal eastward through the Mediterranean region and the Sahara (where it is only found
sporadically), to the Arabian peninsula, southern Asia, and as far East as Yunnan in southern
parts of China.[5][6][7][8] It typically occurs around dry stream beds. Nerium oleander is planted in
many subtropical and tropical areas of the world. On the East Coast of the US, it grows as far
north as Washington DC, while in California and Texas it is naturalized as a median strip
planting.[citation needed]

Ecology
Some invertebrates are known to be unaffected by oleander toxins, and feed on the plants.
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. Larvae of the
common crow butterfly (Euploea core) also feed on oleanders, and they retain or modify toxins,
making them unpalatable to would-be predators such as birds, but not to other invertebrates such
as spiders and wasps.
The flowers require insect visits to set seed, and seem to be pollinated through a deception
mechanism. 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. They therefore
receive very few visits, as typical of many rewardless flower species.[9][10] Fears of honey
contamination with toxic oleander nectar are therefore unsubstantiated.

Ornamental gardening

Oleander grows well in warm subtropical regions where it is extensively used as an ornamental
plant in landscapes, in parks, and along roadsides. It is drought-tolerant and will tolerate
occasional light frost down to 10 C (14 F).[8] It is commonly used in landscaping freeway
medians in California, Texas, and other mild-winter states in the Continental United States
because it is upright in habit and easily maintained. Its toxicity renders it deer-resistant. It is
tolerant of poor soils and drought. Oleander can also be grown in cooler climates in greenhouses
and conservatories, or as indoor plants that can be kept outside in the summer. Oleander flowers
are showy and fragrant and are grown for these reasons. Over 400 cultivars have been named,
with several additional flower colours not found in wild plants having been selected, including
red, purple, pink, and orange; white and a variety of pinks are the most common. Many cultivars
also have double flowers. Young plants grow best in spaces where they do not have to compete
with other plants for nutrients.

Therapeutic efficacy
Drugs derived from N. oleander have been investigated as a treatment for cancer,
unsuccessfully.[11][12] According to the American Cancer Society, the trials have produced no
evidence of benefit, but they did cause adverse side effects.[13]

Toxicity
Oleander has historically been considered a poisonous plant because some of its compounds may
exhibit toxicity, especially to animals, when consumed in large amounts. 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.
Toxicity studies of animals administered oleander extract concluded that rodents and birds were
observed to be relatively insensitive to oleander cardiac glycosides.[14] Other mammals, however,
such as dogs and humans, are relatively sensitive to the effects of cardiac glycosides and the
clinical manifestations of "glycoside intoxication".[14][15][16]
However, despite the common "poisonous" designation of this plant, very few toxic events in
humans have been reported. According to the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System, in 2002, 847
human exposures to oleander were reported to poison centers in the United States.[17] Despite this
exposure level, from 1985 through 2005, only three deaths were reported. One cited death was
apparently due to the ingestion of oleander leaves by a diabetic man.[18] His blood indicated a
total blood concentration of cardiac glycosides of about 20 g/l, which is well above the reported
fatal level. Another study reported on the death of a woman who self-administered "an undefined
oleander extract" both orally and rectally and her oleandrin tissue levels were 10 to 39 g/g,
which were in the high range of reported levels at autopsy.[19] And finally, one study reported the
death of a woman who ingested oleander 'tea'.[20] Few other details were provided.
In contrast to consumption of these undefined oleander-derived materials, no toxicity or deaths
were reported from topical administration or contact with N. oleander or specific products
derived from them. In reviewing oleander toxicity, Lanford and Boor[21] 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)".[21]
Toxicity studies conducted in dogs and rodents administered oleander extracts by intramuscular
injection indicated that, on an equivalent weight basis, doses of an oleander extract with
glycosides 10 times those likely to be administered therapeutically to humans are still safe and
without any "severe toxicity observed".[22]

Effects of poisoning

Oleandrin, one of the toxins present in oleander

Ingestion of this plant can affect the gastrointestinal system, the heart, and the central nervous
system. The gastrointestinal effects can consist of nausea and vomiting, excess salivation,
abdominal pain, diarrhea that may or may not contain blood, and especially in horses, colic.[7]
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. Extremities may become pale and
cold due to poor or irregular circulation. 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.
Oleander sap can cause skin irritations, severe eye inflammation and irritation, and allergic
reactions characterized by dermatitis.[23]

Treatment
Poisoning and reactions to oleander plants are evident quickly, requiring immediate medical care
in suspected or known poisonings of both humans and animals.[23] Induced vomiting and gastric
lavage are protective measures to reduce absorption of the toxic compounds. Charcoal may also
be administered to help adsorb any remaining toxins.[7] Further medical attention may be
required depending on the severity of the poisoning and symptoms. Temporary cardiac pacing
will be required in many cases (usually for a few days) till the toxin is excreted.
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.[citation needed]

Drying of plant materials does not eliminate the toxins. It is also hazardous for animals such as
sheep, horses, cattle, and other grazing animals, with as little as 100 g being enough to kill an
adult horse.[24] Plant clippings are especially dangerous to horses, as they are sweet. In July 2009,
several horses were poisoned in this manner from the leaves of the plant.[25] Symptoms of a
poisoned horse include severe diarrhea and abnormal heartbeat. 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. 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. The dried or fresh branches should not be used for spearing food, for
preparing a cooking fire, or as a food skewer. Many of the oleander relatives, such as the desert
rose (Adenium obesum) found in East Africa, have similar leaves and flowers and are equally
toxic.

Folklore
The alleged toxicity of the plant makes it the center of an urban legend documented on several
continents and over more than a century. Often told as a true and local event, typically an entire
family, or in other tellings a group of scouts, succumbs after consuming hot dogs or other food
roasted over a campfire using oleander sticks.[1]

Garden history
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 plant has a leaf like that of the almond, but smaller, and the flower is red like a rose. 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.
In another mention, of "wild bay" (Daphne agria), Theophrastus appears to intend the same
shrub.[26]
Willa Cather, in her book The Song of the Lark, mentions oleander in this passage:
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. There is hardly a German family in the
most arid parts of Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, but has its oleander trees. However loutish the
American-born sons of the family may be, there was never one who refused to give his muscle to
the back-breaking task of getting those tubbed trees down into the cellar in the fall and up into
the sunlight in the spring. They may strive to avert the day, but they grapple with the tub at
last.[27]
Oleander is the official flower of the city of Hiroshima, [28]