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Nerium oleander Linn. [2]
No documentation
Apocyanaceae
English |
Oleander, Rose-bay |
Arabic |
Defla |
French | Laurier rose [2] |
Nerium oleander is a member of the Apocynaceae family. It is a perennial shrub which can grow up to 4 m tall. It has erect stem with profuse branching. The leaves forms whorls of three, each measuring 10 cm long, evergreen, leathery, simple, entire, lanceolate lengthwise, pointed with median veins which is prominent underneath and a number of secondary veins. The flowers are strongly aromatic which grows in terminal corymbs. The calyx is shorter than the corolla. There are 5 multifid scales opposing the lobes. The stamens are enclosed and inserted in the middle of the corolla. The fruits are cylindrical and composed of two fused, linear follicles. There are many seeds in each fruit, each with a red-haired pappus. [2]
The Mediterranean, South-west Asia and North Africa. [1], [2], [3]
In North Africa this plant had been used in the treatment of many conditions including gangrene, eczrma, headache and colds, toothache, scabies, lices and alopecia and non-bleeding skin lesions. [2]
Whole plant especially the leaves and flowers. [1], [3]
The plant contains several cardiac glycosides which are the toxic principles present. These cardiac glycoside include neriin (nerioside), oleandrin (oleandroside), folinerin, rosagenin, conevin, pseudocuranine, rutin and cortenerin. The total glycoside of each plant makes up as much as 0.5% of the weight of the plant at cvarious seasons of the year. The red-flowered from seem to have more glycosides than the white variety.
All parts of the plant contain the toxic glycosides. Even smoke from burning wood and honey extracted from flowers are poisonous. There have been reports of poisoning even by drinking water from wells where the leaves and flowers had fallen into. A baby was reportedly died following consumption of milk from a cow that had consumed oleander leaves. [2], [3]
Should not be planted in the house or any public areas.
The cardiac glycosides produces symptoms almost similar to digitalis poisoning. These include bradycardia, dysarrhythmias, abdominal cramps with vomiting and diarrhoea, dizziness, persistent headache, fatigue, drowsiness and dilated pupils, loss of visual acuity with blurred or aberrant colour vision. In more severe cases, convulsions, respiratory failure, coma and death is a possibility. A red flush around the mouth has been reported in cases of intoxication and fatalities. [1], [3]
Local symptoms include rashes in sensitive people. [3]
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