This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Nerium oleander
  • Oleander

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Nerium genus in the family Apocynaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Loamy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Nerium oleander has 0 material uses listed
Nerium oleander has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The whole plant is very poisonous[1][2][3]. Skin contact with the plant can cause irritation whilst ingestion of only one leaf has led to death in children[4][5]. Death has been known to follow the use of the wood of this plant as a meat skewer[4].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Nerium oleander.

Material uses

The plant is used as a rat poison[6], a parasiticide[7] and an insecticide[8]. The pounded leaves and bark are used as an insecticide[9].

A green dye is obtained from the flowers[10]. The plant is commonly used for informal hedging in the Mediterranean[11][4], though it is too tender for this use in Britain[K]. The leaves contain small amounts of latex that can be used to make rubber[12], though the amount is too small for commercial utilization[K].

The plants have an extensive root system and are often used to stabilize soil in warmer areas[13].

Unknown part

Dye
Insecticide
Latex
Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves and the flowers are cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and sternutatory[7][14][15]. A decoction of the leaves has been applied externally in the treatment of scabies[7], and to reduce swellings[16]. This is a very poisonous plant, containing a powerful cardiac toxin[16], and should only be used with extreme caution[7][14].

The root is powerfully resolvent. Because of its poisonous nature it is only used externally. It is beaten into a paste with water and applied to chancres and ulcers on the penis[16]. An oil prepared from the root bark is used in the treatment of leprosy and skin diseases of a scaly nature[16].

The whole plant is said to have anticancer properties[15].

Unknown part

Cancer
Cardiotonic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emetic
Expectorant
Resolvent
Skin
Sternutatory

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge


Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[17]. Do not use seed from pods infected with the bacterial disease 'oleander knot'[17]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting them out in early summer.

Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, August/September in a frame. Good percentage[18].

Cuttings of mature leading shoots[1].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Nerium oleander. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a heavy soil[19]. Prefers a light soil according to another report[20]. Requires a position in full sun[19][21]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[4]. Lime tolerant[4][20]. Plants are very tolerant of heat and also of drought once they are established[22]. Grows well in maritime gardens, tolerating salt-laden winds[4].

This species is not very hardy in Britain, though plants tolerate temperatures down to -5°c and short periods of temperatures down to -10°c[21][4][23]. A popular greenhouse pot plant that can be grown outdoors in the summer, it can be grown outdoors all year round in the milder areas such as Cornwall[1][23].

A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[4][23]. Plants are shy to flower when grown outdoors[19][24]. The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[25].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Nerium oleander. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Nerium oleander.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Nerium oleander
Genus
Nerium
Family
Apocynaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[7][14][15][16]
Material uses & Functions
[6][7][8][9][10][11][4][12][13]
Botanic
[26][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge, Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
4 x 4 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  2. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
  3. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.84.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  5. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (1987-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. (1970-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
  15. ? 15.015.115.2 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  18. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.119.2 Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()
  20. ? 20.020.1 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
  21. ? 21.021.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
  22. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
  23. ? 23.023.123.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
  24. ? Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. ()
  25. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  26. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

"image:Nerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Nerium_oleander&oldid=78852"
Facts about "Nerium oleander"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyApocynaceae +
Belongs to genusNerium +
Functions asHedge + and Earth stabiliser +
Has common nameOleander +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure +, High wind + and Drought +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone8 +
Has imageNerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +, Insecticide +, Latex + and Parasiticide +
Has mature height4 +
Has mature width4 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useCancer +, Cardiotonic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Expectorant +, Resolvent +, Skin + and Sternutatory +
Has primary imageNerium oleander flowers leaves.jpg +
Has search namenerium oleander + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameNerium oleander +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +