Synonyms

Nerion oleandrum St.-Lag.

Nerium indicum Mill.

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocyanaceae

Native: Europe and Asia

Common Names

English – Oleander

Malayalam – Arali

Description:
Nerium oleander is a highly toxic plant that contains cardiac glycosides, making it dangerous if ingested. Oleander is a rapidly growing evergreen shrub with lush foliage.  It reaches up to 6m height. The flowers are borne in terminal clusters and are of a rose colour, rarely white or yellow. The fruit consists of two long pods (follicle), which contain several seeds, each of which has a tuft of silky hairs that helps in the dispersal of the seeds. It prefers to grow in exposed to partial shade. A thick, gummy sap present in the bark may cause contact dermatitis.

Habitat:  Grown as ornamental plant

Distribution: Throughout India

Uses: Folk medicine; Agroforestry; Ornamental. In traditional systems at various places, seeds are used as a purgative in dropsy and rheumatism. The root is powerful resolvable and is used in the form of plasters and is applied to tumors because of its poisonous nature it is only used externally. The leaves and the flowers of Nerium are cardiotonic, diaphoretic, and diuretic, anticancer, antibacterial.