Nerium

Nerium is a genus in the Apocynaceae family represented by a single species, Nerium oleander. Native to the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and northern Africa, it has been cultivated for centuries as an ornamental plant and is now widely grown in warm temperate and tropical climates.

It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that typically reaches 2 to 6 meters in height, though larger specimens can occur in favorable conditions. The leaves are narrow, oblong to lanceolate, 6 to 21 cm long, opposite or in whorls of three. The plant produces clusters of flowers at the ends of branches.

Flowers are five-petaled and form a cup-shaped tube, with colors ranging from white to pink, red, or bi-colored. They bloom from late spring through autumn in warm areas. The ornamental appeal comes from the dense flowering and evergreen foliage.

Toxicity and safety: Nerium oleander contains cardiac glycosides, such as oleandrin, in all parts of the plant. Ingestion can cause severe cardiac, gastrointestinal, and nervous system effects and can be fatal. Skin contact with sap can cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Caution is advised in gardens, especially around children and pets.

Cultivation and uses: It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. It is commonly used in hedges, screens, and roadside plantings due to its hardiness and long flowering period. Because of toxicity, some jurisdictions regulate planting in certain settings.

Pests and diseases: oleander is susceptible to aphids and scale insects; diseases such as oleander leaf scorch caused by Xylella fastidiosa have affected oleander in some regions.