Nerium Oleander
Family: Apocynaceae
English: Oleanders
Although this plant's rosy flowers adorn the roadsides of the country, it normally occurs along watercourses, gravelly places and damp ravines. The Nerium oleander is an evergreen perennial shrub that can reach up to 5 metres. Leaves are lance-shaped, untoothed and short-stalked, dark or grey-green in colour. It is a tough, versatile plant with showy summertime flowers in white, pink and light yellow.
Dioscurides underlines the toxic character of this plant and draws attention to the use of its leaves, as the latter were immersed in wine to prepare an antidote to poisoning.
Popular Greek names:
"Picrodaphne", "Agriodaphne", "Rododaphne", "Zoukoumia".
