Nerium oleander is a shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. It is most commonly known as nerium or oleander, from its superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive Olea. It is so widely cultivated that no precise region of origin has been identified, though southwest Asia has been suggested. The ancient city of Volubilis in Morocco may have taken its name from the Berber name oualilt for the flower.Oleander is one of the most poisonous commonly grown garden plants.

Range Description:
This species is considered to be native to Spain, the Balearic Islands and Morocco east through Mediterranean coastal countries to the Arabian Peninsula, Ethiopia, Niger, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq to India and central China. It occurs as a non-native in parts of Africa, the Azores, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, central and eastern Mexico, Central and South America.

Countries occurrence:
Native:Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; China; Cyprus; Ethiopia; France (Corsica, France (mainland)); Greece (East Aegean Is., Greece (mainland)); India; Iran, Islamic Republic of; Iraq; Italy (Italy (mainland), Sardegna, Sicilia); Lebanon; Libya; Morocco; Myanmar; Nepal; Oman; Pakistan; Palestinian Territory, Occupied; Portugal (Azores - Introduced, Portugal (mainland)); Saudi Arabia; Slovenia; Spain (Baleares, Spain (mainland)); Tunisia; Turkey (Turkey-in-Asia, Turkey-in-Europe); United Arab Emirates

Introduced:Australia (New South Wales); Brazil; Cameroon; Chile (Juan Fernández Is.); French Polynesia (Society Is.); Honduras; Indonesia (Jawa); Japan; Kenya; Kiribati (Gilbert Is.); Madagascar; Mexico; New Zealand (Kermadec Is., North Is.); Niger; South Africa (Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape); United States (Arkansas); United States Minor Outlying Islands (US Line Is.); Western Sahara; Zimbabwe.

Habitat and Ecology:
This species does not typically grow in water, but is a characteristic plant of the margins of waterbodies.

Use and Trade: This species is very widely cultivated as an ornamental. All parts of the plant are poisonous and so it is not grazed or eaten. Steam from boiled leaves is inhaled to relieve sinusitis, pounded leaves are applied to the skin to relieve itching, ulcers and tumours (Jongbloed 2003); the leaves are used as an insecticide.