- Dangerous beauty - (1)
The oleander (Nerium oleander), also known as Espirradeira or Flor-de-São-José (in Brazil), is a relatively common ornamental plant (including on sidewalks and public roads), but extremely toxic.
It is a large shrub, and can be around 3 to 5 m in height (although there is a smaller variety). Its flowers can be white, pink or red. The leaves are narrow and long, sometimes described as spearheaded. It is an undemanding plant in terms of temperature and humidity.
The oleander is originally from North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia. It is very common in Portugal and Brazil, whether spontaneous or cultivated.
Its active ingredients are oleandrin and neriantin, which are extraordinarily toxic substances. A leaf is enough to kill an 80 kg man - although vomiting often prevents the fatal outcome. In contact with the skin, the sap also presents risks, and it is advisable to use gloves when handling.
I found more informations about the toxicity of this plant:
Although it has historically been considered a poisonous plant, its bitterness renders it unpalatable to humans and most animals, so poisoning cases are rare and the general risk for human mortality is low. Ingestion of larger amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and irregular heart rhythm. Prolonged contact with sap may cause skin irritation, eye inflammation and dermatitis.
From Wikipedia
- Dangerous beauty - (1)
The oleander (Nerium oleander), also known as Espirradeira or Flor-de-São-José (in Brazil), is a relatively common ornamental plant (including on sidewalks and public roads), but extremely toxic.
It is a large shrub, and can be around 3 to 5 m in height (although there is a smaller variety). Its flowers can be white, pink or red. The leaves are narrow and long, sometimes described as spearheaded. It is an undemanding plant in terms of temperature and humidity.
The oleander is originally from North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia. It is very common in Portugal and Brazil, whether spontaneous or cultivated.
Its active ingredients are oleandrin and neriantin, which are extraordinarily toxic substances. A leaf is enough to kill an 80 kg man - although vomiting often prevents the fatal outcome. In contact with the skin, the sap also presents risks, and it is advisable to use gloves when handling.
I found more informations about the toxicity of this plant:
Although it has historically been considered a poisonous plant, its bitterness renders it unpalatable to humans and most animals, so poisoning cases are rare and the general risk for human mortality is low. Ingestion of larger amounts may cause nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and irregular heart rhythm. Prolonged contact with sap may cause skin irritation, eye inflammation and dermatitis.
From Wikipedia