Nerium oleander
Nerium oleander
Zakkum
Shrub to 6 m high. Leaves often in whorls of 3, very narrowly elliptic, acute, narrowed at base into a short petiole, 6-30 x 1-3 cm, coriaceous, with prominent midrib and very numerous fine parallel lateral veins. Calyx 5-7 mm, puberulent. Corolla rose or red, infundibular, 2·5-4·5 cm. Follicles 10-18 cm. Seeds c. 4 mm. Fl. 4-9. Banks ofstreams and in seasonally dry bedsofwater-courses, s.l.-800 m.
Mediterranean area. Medit. element. Frequently planted as an ornamental shrub and existing in many garden colour forms. Extremely poisonous.
