Plants and mushrooms
Yellow oleander
| Common name |
|
Yellow oleander |
| Botanical name |
|
Cascabela thevetia (also known as Thevetia peruviana or Thevetia neriifolia) |
| Other common names |
|
Cook tree, Be-still tree, Lucky nut, Dicky plant |
| Family |
|
Apocynaceae |
| General description |
|
A large spreading shrub usually 2.5–3.5m tall. |
| Flowers |
|
The sweetly perfumed flowers are funnel-shaped, bright yellow or peach coloured, 5.5–7cm long and 2.5–4cm wide, grouped in clusters at the end of the branches. |
| Leaves |
|
The leaves are glossy green, strap-like, alternating on the stem, 5.5–15cm long and 0.5–1.5cm wide. |
| Fruit/Berries |
|
The fruit are angular, green when immature, ripening black, broader than long and somewhat triangular in outline, with a raised ridge around the middle, about 3–4.5cm in diameter. The fruit is fleshy and soft like a plum and encloses a “stone” comprising two starchy kernels. |
| Other |
|
The sap is milky. |
| Symptoms |
|
All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, particularly the fruit and seeds. This species has been responsible for the deaths of several children. Symptoms may include a burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and a slow or irregular heartbeat. The sap may be an irritant and cause dermatitis or blistering. |
| Toxicity category |
|
1, 3 |
| Warning |
|
Seek urgent medical assistance for all ingestions. |
