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Nerium oleander L.
Synonym: Nerium indicum Mill., Nerium odorum Soland..
APOCYNACEAE
Local Names
: അരളി, Oleander,
Indian oleander, Rose bay.
Flowering Period : November to May.
Distribution : From Mediterranean through Persia
Uses: Ornamental, cure kidney problems, toxic, skin infection, antiinflammatory.
Exotic : Yes.
An
erect evergreen shrub. Leaves linear-lanceolate, tapering at both ends. Flowers
white, pink or dark red, single or double in cultivated, form, fragrant. Calyx,
divided into 5 linear, acute lobes,. Corolla tube, hairy within, ending in five
twisted petals. Stamen included. Ovary with two distinct carpels, style
filiform, thickened upward; stigma two lobed.