INNOCENT BUT DEADLY: A GUIDE ON HOW TO IDENTIFY POISONOUS PLANTS

PLANT: Nerium oleander

a.k.a Oleander

Summary: Oleander is an evergreen plant that belongs to the family Apocynaceae. This plant is native to Morocco, Portugal, China and Mediterranean areas, but it has been naturalized to almost all continents in the world. Oleander is one of the most poisonous plants on the planet. Despite that fact, people cultivate and create new varieties of oleanders due to ornamental morphology of these plants. Oleander grows on the well-drained soil in areas that provide enough sunlight. It lives mostly in warm, tropical climates, and developes yellow, white, pink, light orange, and red flowers. Oleander can tolerate drought and temperatures near zero during short periods of time. Besides being popular in horticulture, oleander can be used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of various remedies.

Be Aware: While the oleander can easily beautify any outdoor space, all parts of the oleander plant (leaves, flowers, twigs, and stems), can cause sever illness and/or death. Touching the plant can cause skin irritation (best to keep these away from pets) and ingesting the plant can cause death.

Fun Fact: Oleander is the official flower of Hiroshima. It was the first plant that managed to blossom after devastating effects produced by atomic bomb in the 1945. Learn more here