img

Nerium oleander

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae Genus: Nerium

oleander

img

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Stem to 6 m tall, evergreen, juice watery.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Leaves in whorls of 3 per node. Blades very narrowly elliptic, 5–21 cm long and 1–3.5 cm. wide. Apex acuminate or acute. Base cuneate or decurrent on petiole. Blades leathery. Margins entire. Midvein prominent abaxially, lateral veins numerous, parallel. Petiolate. Stipules absent or vestigial.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences corymbose, terminal. Flowers bisexual (perfect), showy, fragrant. Sepals narrowly triangular to narrowly ovate, 3–10 mm. Corolla of 5 petals, purplish red, pink, white, salmon, or yellow, tube 1.2–2.2 cm; lobes 1.3–3 cm, single or double. corolla funnelform, cylindric near base, throat open, wide, lobes overlapping to right; corona segments 5, petal-like, large, fringed. Stamens 5, inserted at apex of corolla tube; anthers sagittate, with a bristly, filiform apical appendage, pilose, connivent, adherent to pistil head; disc absent. Ovary superior, 2, distinct; ovules numerous in each locule.

Fruit: Follicles cylindric; 12–23 cm; united until just before dehiscence. Seeds oblong; numerous; densely pilose; coma at truncate apex; coma 0.9–1.2 cm.

Ploidy: 2n = 22

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

img
img
img

Synonyms (46)

Nerion oleandrum St.-Lag. (1880)
Nerium atropurpureum Bürger (1830)
Nerium carneum Dum.Cours. (1811)
Nerium coccineum Bürger (1830)
Nerium flavescens Spin (1812)
Nerium floridum Salisb. (1796)
Nerium grandiflorum Desf. (1815)
Nerium indicum Mill. (1768)
Nerium indicum f. leucanthum (Makino) Okuyama (1955)
Nerium indicum f. lutescens (Makino) Okuyama (1955)
Nerium indicum subsp. kotschyi (Boiss.) Rech.f. (1974)
Nerium indicum var. aurantiacum Poit. (1835)
Nerium indicum var. leucanthum Makino (1940)
Nerium indicum var. lutescens Makino (1940)
Nerium indicum var. luteum Poit. (1835)
Nerium indicum var. ochroleucum Poit. (1835)
Nerium indicum var. odorum (Aiton) Poit. (1835)
Nerium indicum var. oxiacantholens Poit. (1835)
Nerium indicum var. plenum Makino (1940)
Nerium indicum var. ragonotii C.Morren (1835)
Nerium indicum var. splendens Poit. (1835)
Nerium japonicum Gentil (1907)
Nerium kotschyi Boiss. (1846)
Nerium latifolium Mill. (1768)
Nerium lauriforme Lam. (1779)
Nerium luteum Nois. ex Steud. (1821)
Nerium madonii M.Vincent (1875)
Nerium mascatense A.DC. (1844)
Nerium odoratissimum Wender. (1831)
Nerium odoratum Lam. (1792)
Nerium odorum Aiton (1789)
Nerium oleander atropurpureum-plenum Hovey (1882)
Nerium oleander subsp. kurdicum Rech.f. (1974)
Nerium oleander var. album G.Lodd. (1827)
Nerium oleander var. atropurpureum Van Houtte (1833)
Nerium oleander var. flore-variegato G.Lodd. (1827)
Nerium oleander var. indicum (Mill.) O.Deg. & Greenwell (1952)
Nerium oleander var. luteomarginatum Van Geert (1878)
Nerium oleander var. madonii-grandiflorum Hovey (1882)
Nerium oleander var. pictum-argenteum Van Geert (1878)
Nerium oleander var. radicans Poit. (1835)
Nerium splendens Paxton (1837)
Nerium thyrsiflorum Paxton (1837)
Nerium verecundum Salisb. (1796)
Oleander indica (Mill.) Medik. (1790)
Oleander vulgaris Medik. (1790)

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Current research into a special carbohydrate in the plant extract as a possible treatment for cancer.

  • Popular ornamental trees because of their flowers that range from red to white and degrade quickly after falling.

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Molokai Only found in cultivation
Kaho'olawe Only found in cultivation
Maui Only found in cultivation
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Wind

Pollinators

Notes

  • All parts of this plant contain two strong cardiac (effecting the heart) toxins. The toxins can block electrical impulses between nerves and muscles.

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 209 (1753)

Other References

Staples & Herbst 2005:117 (KEY), 122 (DESCR); Parker & Parsons 2012a:55 (NEWNAT/H)

Poisonous Plants of Paradise (Scott & Thomas) p.126-129

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 m tall. Flowers pink. Fosberg, F.R. 8816 Oahu BISH 1932-09-12
2 Nerium oleander Green Valley Rd., Hanohano's Garden. Preserved_Specimen Hedge shrub. Avilla, J.J. 19 Oahu BISH 1974-04-04
3 Nerium oleander Kamehameha Girls School, Honolulu Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7130 Oahu BISH 1934-07-31
4 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Semi-moist ground. Preserved_Specimen Inafuku, R. Oahu BISH 1931-03-10
5 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Moist ground. Preserved_Specimen Inafuku, R. Oahu BISH 1931-02-02
6 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Moist ground. Preserved_Specimen Inafuku, R. Oahu BISH 1931-02-02
7 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Colonial Hotel Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen 10' tall; red flowers, sweet scented. Grant, M.L. 7100 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
8 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Dry. Preserved_Specimen Morley, H. 141 Oahu BISH 1933-11-29
9 Nerium oleander Near L.D.S. Temple, Laie Common ornamental hedge. Preserved_Specimen Shrub to 10' high, long narrow leaves, white, pink or red flowers. Afualo, D. 119 Oahu BISH 1975-03-25
10 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Dry lowland. Preserved_Specimen Chong, M. Oahu BISH 1973-05-14
11 Nerium oleander Honolulu: Bishop Museum Growing full sun. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 4 m tall, much-branched at base; flower color blush pink. Flower not fragrant (at noon). Lau, J. 1044 Oahu BISH 1985-06-04
12 Nerium oleander Honolulu Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 15' tall, flowers white, not fragrant. St.John, H. 10497 Oahu BISH 1930-04-27
13 Nerium oleander Wailua Game Preserve, above Wailua Vegetation on plots stripmined for bauxite ore in 1958-60. Stockpile of topsoil. Preserved_Specimen Much branched shrub 2 m tall, flowers reddish. Howard, R.A. 20240 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
14 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Cultivated. No. 5 on map of campus trees and plants. Preserved_Specimen Shrub with numerous stems; leathery, dull green foliage; slightly fragrant, pinkish flowers; milky sap. Herbst, D.R. 608 Oahu BISH 1967-09-20
15 Nerium oleander BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie. Hale 6 faced to the BYU-HC farm Preserved_Specimen 7-20' high ornamental shrub. Tupou, L. 8 Oahu BISH 1980-12-01
16 Nerium oleander Honolulu Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 15' tall, flowers white, not fragrant. St.John, H. 10497 Oahu BISH 1930-04-27
17 Nerium oleander Honolulu: Colonial Hotel Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen 10' tall; flowers white, no odor. Grant, M.L. 7099 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
18 Nerium oleander Honolulu Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 15' tall, flower white, not fragrant. St.John, H. 10497 Oahu BISH 1930-04-27
19 Nerium oleander Kau, Kaalaiki Rd. up a hill, ~20 m off road; Panicum maximum, Carica papaya, Glycine wightii Preserved_Specimen 3 m; pink flower McGuire, R. 23 Hawaii BISH 2008-08-18
20 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Nuuanu Ave., near St. Stephen's Church Near single pink-flowered oleander. Preserved_Specimen Ripe capsules and 1 leaf, no flowers. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1945-11-11
21 Nerium oleander BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie Lowland. Preserved_Specimen Ornamental shrub with arching branches. Flowers not crepy. Utai, M. 8 Oahu BISH 1975-03-01
22 Nerium oleander Honolulu: Colonial Hotel Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen 10' tall; flowers red, no odor. Grant, M.L. 7098 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
23 Nerium oleander E central part of island, NW of Lua Makika and NE of Moaula, forestry exclosure surrounded by barren hardpan Forestry exclosure surrounded by barren hardpan. Preserved_Specimen Planted tree about 7' tall. No flowers. Cuddihy, L.W. 412 Kahoolawe BISH 1980-04-24
24 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Ala Moana Park Preserved_Specimen Flowers double, white with yellow in throat, some fragrance. St.Lawrence, M. 1 Oahu BISH 1958-03-14
25 Nerium oleander BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie Preserved_Specimen Shrub with many branching stems, milky juice, flowers pink. Ziegelbauer, K. 41 Oahu BISH 1975-04-02
26 Nerium oleander Lihue District. Along Hwy 56 bordering the Wailua Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Shrub of 8'. Leaves dark mat green with whitish-green midvein, below pale green with pale greenish-white midvein. In bud flowers yellowish-white. Open flowers white with pale yellow tube. Flynn, T.W. 3358 Kauai BISH 1989-05-05
27 Nerium oleander Haleiwa Preserved_Specimen Shrub with pink flowers, milky sap. Hai, N. 2 Oahu BISH 1975-04-01
28 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Kalihi Valley. Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Erect shrub ±3 m tall. Flower bright red. Fruit conical, ribbed pod. Judd Jr., A.F. 129 Oahu BISH 1928-09-25
29 Nerium oleander Lihue District. Along Hwy 56 bordering the Wailua Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Shrub of 9'. Leaves dark mat green with whitish-green midvein, below pale green with pale greenish-white midvein. Petioles yellowish-green. Double flowered form. Petals deep rose colored. Base of some petals white to yellowish-white. Flynn, T.W. 3359 Kauai BISH 1989-05-05
30 Nerium oleander Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen 80' a.s. Krajina, V.J. 6193 Oahu BISH 1961-10-12
31 Nerium oleander Lihue District. Along Hwy 56 bordering the Wailua Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Shrub of 12'. Leaves dark mat green with whitish-green midvein, below pale green with pale greenish-white midvein. Petals pink within, pink with darker pink bank along right edge of each petal, base yellowish-green. Flynn, T.W. 3357 Kauai BISH 1989-05-05
32 Nerium oleander University of Hawaii campus, Honolulu Cultivated ground. Preserved_Specimen Kitamura, F. Oahu BISH 1933-11-29
33 Nerium oleander Kalaupapa; airport Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 409 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
34 Nerium oleander Kapalama Hts., Kamehameha Girls' School Preserved_Specimen Flowers red. Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-06-06
35 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Ala Moana Park Preserved_Specimen Flowers pure-white, stigmas feathery, very faint fragrance, 5-petaled. St.Lawrence, M. Oahu BISH 1958-03-14
36 Nerium oleander BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie. CCH side of technology Building Preserved_Specimen Luke, K. 20 Oahu BISH 1960-11-30
37 Nerium oleander BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie Preserved_Specimen Common ornamental shrub, with crown of long, narrow, dull evergreen leaves, edges rolled back. Flowers single or double, white, pink or red. sweet scented oleander. Lee, P. 45 Oahu BISH 1975-03-27
38 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Iolani Palace grounds Preserved_Specimen Flowers single, pink, corona tube light-yellow with red stripes (3 on ea. part), faint fragrance. St.Lawrence, M. Oahu BISH 1958-03-14
39 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Kapiolani Park Preserved_Specimen Flowers 3x double, deep pink, corona and petals' base whitish with rose-red streaks, very fragrant. St.Lawrence, M. Oahu BISH 1958-03-14
40 Nerium oleander Kapalama Hts., Kamehameha Girls' School Preserved_Specimen Leaves show green phase of albino flowers pink. Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-06-06
41 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Kapiolani Park Preserved_Specimen Flowers double, white, tube light-orange, very fragrant. St.Lawrence, M. Oahu BISH 1958-03-14
42 Nerium oleander Honolulu, Kapiolani Park Preserved_Specimen Flowers single, white, tube pale-yellow, moderately fragrant. St.Lawrence, M. Oahu BISH 1958-03-14
43 Nerium oleander Honolulu, 2019 Vancouver Dr Preserved_Specimen Flowers white. Edmondson, C.H. Oahu BISH 1942-04-07
44 Nerium oleander Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen 80' a.s. Krajina, V.J. 62250 Oahu BISH 1962-02-14
45 Nerium oleander unknown Preserved_Specimen Robinson, W.D. 33 Oahu BISH 1971-03-26
46 Nerium oleander Bishop Museum grounds, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Leu, M. 52 Oahu BISH 1987-11-30
47 Nerium oleander BYU-Hawaii campus, Laie. CCH side of technology Building Preserved_Specimen Luke, K. 20 Oahu BISH 1960-11-30
48 Nerium oleander Kapalama Hts., Kamehameha Girls' School Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-06-06
49 Nerium oleander Kapalama Hts., Kamehameha Girls' School Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1932-06-06
Back to Top