Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a striking evergreen shrub characterized by long, lance-shaped leaves, a resilient disposition and fragrant blooms in shades of reds, pinks, yellow and white. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. It can grow into a large shrub — some varieties up to about 20 feet — or a small tree, and tolerates hard pruning in spring to maintain its shape. Oleander poisoning occurs when someone eats the flowers or chews the leaves or stems of the oleander plant (Nerium oleander), or its relative, the yellow oleander (Cascabela thevetia). The Spruce / Michael Marquand. They are only dangerous when ingested and are completely safe to touch. These are toxins that affect a dog's heart by interrupting the electrolyte balance there. Also, pupils may appear dilated. People have died from using oleander branches as skewers for meat. Poisonous plants to avoid 1. I … Plants are evergreen with yellow tubular (funnel-shaped) flowers. Oleander is a dense, fast-growing evergreen shrub that has been growing since ancient times and is native to North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean regions. But I will say that oleanders won’t hurt you if you touch or handle them while they are intact. Oleander is a … What’s poisonous: All parts of oleander plants are toxic, with an emphasis on the leaves and branches. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. Just touching it could potentially cause irritation, and smoke from burning cuttings can potentially cause severe reactions. Oleanders contain two extremely toxic cardiac glycosides, oleandroside and nerioside. Even smoke from burning oleander can … Oleander can be found in the gardens of suburban neighborhoods all over the world. Disinfect your pruning shears by soaking your tools in a solution that is equal parts alcohol and water for five minutes. Is oleander poisonous? Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, North Carolina State University: Nerium Oleander, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Weed Science Society of America: Oleander, AAPCC: American Association of Poison Control Centers, University of Florida Extension: Disinfecting Pruning Tools, Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Oleander. Are oleander flowers poisonous to touch and can Oleander flowers cause skin irritation? Oleander is also extremely toxic to cats, dogs and horses. These plants are mainly found in warm climates or in coastal gardens. President Trump recently touted the botanical compound oleandrin as a potential treatment for the coronavirus, although there's no evidence of its effectiveness. In fact, common oleander (Cerium oleander), which is a popular landscaping plant in warm climate areas of the United States, is severely toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that's hardy and fairly low-maintenance.In fact, because of its hardiness, the plant is considered invasive in certain parts of the Southwest and around the Gulf Coast. Oleander Is Extremely Toxic to Cats. The bad news, according to UW, is that many animals, including dogs, cats, cows, horses and even birds have succumbed to oleander poisoning. Sign up for our newsletter. Its ability to stand up to salt spray and drought is what makes it popular in coastal areas and very dry regions. Common oleander is a shrub that flowers and also bears fruit. Ingesting even a very small piece of the plant may be fatal. The ASPCA may charge a $65 consultation fee. While the shrub is beautiful and sounds like a gardener's dream, it's also deadly: Ingesting a single leaf can kill an adult. Common oleander (Nerium oleander) is used the most often. 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