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OleanderπΈ
Nerium oleander
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An evergreen shrub to small tree native to the Mediterranean. In summer, it produces numerous large 5-petaled flowers in pink, white, and other colors; widely planted along road medians and in parks. All parts are highly toxic, and even smoke from burning is dangerous.
Identification Points
- βLeaves narrow-lanceolate, coriaceous, in whorls of 3
- βPink to white 5-petaled flowers cluster at branch tips in summer
- βFruit consists of paired elongated follicles
Habitat
Parks, road medians, and coastal areas
Season
JuneβSeptember (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf shape
Linear
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Petal count
5 petals
Petal fusion
Fused
Habitat
Roadside
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Latex
Present
Stamen count
5
Phylogenetic Positionγγ§γ¦γγ―γγ¦η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Gentianales > Apocynaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 55 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Apocynaceae belongs to Gentianales; the development of latex serves as a powerful defense mechanism against herbivores.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification