Oleander

A plant from the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). The oleander is an evergreen plant with lanceolate, firm, leathery leaves that can reach a length of up to 24 cm. The leaf blade can be up to 5 cm long and the pink to purple flowers, which can also be white or yellow depending on the species, appear from June to September. Popular as an ornamental plant, but beware: all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous due to the highly effective cardiac glycosides.

see under Oleandri folium

The oleander has a large natural distribution area that stretches from Morocco, southern Spain over the whole Mediterranean area. It also spreads in the Near and Middle East as well as in India, China and South America.

The oleander is parent plant of Oleandri folium the oleander leaves (contain cardiac active glyosides (main glycoside = oleandrin). However, Oleandri folium received a negative monograph because of insufficient efficacy.