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Nerium oleander 'Pink'

Family Name:	Apocynaceae
Common Name:	Oleander

The pink Oleander is an evergreen shrub with leathery and pointy leaves arranged in pairs or whorls of 3 along the stem. This tropical shrub produces showy clusters of pink 5-petalled flowers at the end of branches and are sweetly scented.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Butterfly Host Plant

Fragrant Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Drought Tolerant

Shrub

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Shrubby
Maximum Height	6 m

Biogeography

Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical
Local Conservation Status	Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	A large woody shrub growing up to 6 m tall but usually about 1.5 - 3 m.
Foliage	Leaves glossy and thick, with prominent midrib. Leaves lanceolate-shaped, arranged in pairs or whorls of 3 along the woody stem.
Flowers	Flowers fragrant, bright pink and showy, single-petalled, 5 petals, arranged in clusters on the end of each branch.

Fruit	Fruits small narrow capsules, pod-like, split when dry to release fluffy seeds. Seeds dispersed by wind.
Cultivation	Cultivated along roadsides and in parks in Singapore. Able to grow in both dry and wet conditions.
Etymology	Genus name Nerium derived from Greek 'nerion' meaning moist, as plant likes moist soils. Species epithet oleander refers to leaves which resemble olive leaves.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	Ornamental flowers and leaves giving the tropical look, suitable for parks and gardens.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant
Landscape Uses	General, Parks & Gardens

Thematic Landscaping	Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons	Toxic Upon Ingestion
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks	Cut surfaces produce white to cream-coloured latex containing toxins called glycosides. All parts are poisonous, even when dried. Ingestion can cause adverse gastrointestinal and cardiac effects. Avoid planting at areas within reach of children.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Butterfly Host Plant
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Drought Tolerant, Poor Infertile Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Maintenance Requirements	Low
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery

Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Green
Young Flush Texture(s)	Leathery
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Whorled
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate)
Foliar Venation	Palmate
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Cuneate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody
Root Type	Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Pink
Flower Texture(s)	Smooth
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Flower Location	Terminal
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Tubular
Flowering Period	Free-Flowering
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Green, Brown
Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Smooth
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit

Fruit Type

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Master ID	973
Species ID	2267
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.