Toxically Beautiful

Have you heard how poisonous this garden plant can be? This is locally known as adelfa, but its common name is nerium oleander.



the blossoms start to fold in the afternoon


Nerium oleander or simply oleander is an evergreen bush which originated from the Mediterranean and some parts of Asia. It can be trained as a tree and said to grow up to 20 feet. It has glossy dark green leaves with a shape of a spear. Oleander blossoms may come in a variety of colors like pink, white, yellow, orange, and red.

All parts of this plant are very poisonous, including the smoke if burned. A single leaf, when accidentally eaten, can cause nausea, vomiting, cardiac arrest, and the worst-- death! Despite these facts, people still use oleander as an ornamental plant.

In the Philippines, oleander can be seen anywhere along parks and roadsides. The photo above was taken at my neighbor's yard in Bulacan. I haven't talk to the owner yet, but I think I have to be cautious and disallow my daughter to go near it.






*This is my 29th entry for the "I ♥ PINK" meme. To be a part of the pink fever, click the button shown at the sidebar.