Oleander (Nerium oleander) the Poison

Oleander (Nerium Oleander), is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae and is one of the most poisonous plants known.
It is native to a broad area from Morocco and Portugal eastward through the Mediterranean region and southern Asia to Yunnan in southern parts of China.

Growth
* Oleander grows well in warm subtropical regions, where it is extensively used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, parks, and along roadsides.
* It is tolerant of a variety of poor soils, and drought tolerant and will tolerate occasional light frost down to -10°C, 14F.
* It is commonly used as a decorative freeway median in California and other mild-winter states in the Continental United States because deer will not eat it due to its high toxicity.
* It can also be grown in cooler climates in greenhouses and conservatories, or as indoor plants that can be kept outside in the summer.

Flowers
* Oleander flowers are showy and fragrant and are grown for these reasons.
* Over 400 cultivars have been named, with several additional flower colours not found in wild plants having been selected, including red, purple, pink and orange; white and a variety of pinks are the most common.
* Many cultivars also have double flowers.
* Young plants grow best in spaces where they do not have to compete with other plants for nutrients.

Poisonous Part
All parts, green or dry.
* Oleander is one of the mostpoisonous palnts in the world and contains numerous toxic compounds, many of which can be deadly to people, especially young children.
* They are present in all parts of the plant, but are most concentrated in the sap, which can block out receptors in the skin causing numbness.
* It is thought that a handful or 10-20 leaves consumed by an adult can cause an adverse reaction,
* and a single leaf could be lethal to an infant or child.

Severity:
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Symptoms
* Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, slowed pulse, irregular heartbeat, dilation of pupils, bloody diarrhea, drowsiness; may be fatal.
* Oleander sap can cause skin irritations, severe eye inflammation and irritation, and allergy reactions characterized by dermatitis.