Nerium oleander Oleander
Family
Apocynoideae
Genus
Nerium
Species
oleander
Nerium oleander /ˈnɪəriəm ˈoʊliː.ændər/ is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the
dogbane family Apocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. It is the only species currently
classified in the genus Nerium. It is most commonly known as oleander, from its
superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive Olea. It is so widely cultivated that no
precise region of origin has been identified, though southwest Asia has been suggested.
The ancient city of Volubilis in Morocco may have taken its name from the Berber name
oualilt for the flower. Oleander is one of the most poisonous commonly grown garden
plants.