Oleander

Nerium oleander

Description:

Oleanders are evergreen shrubs in the dogbane family, growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft). Clusters of flowers appear on the oleander from May through October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

Habitat:

Part shade in yard near Belton Lake.

Notes:

Nerium oleander is a highly toxic ornamental shrub widely cultivated in the Mediterranean. It has been grown since ancient times and features in many of the Roman wall paintings in Pompeii. Alexander the Great in his military campaigns is said to have lost men as a result of eating meat skewered on the highly poisonous Nerium twigs.