Quick facts
| Arabic name | الدفلة |
|---|---|
| English name | Oleander (Difla) |
| Scientific name | Nerium oleander |
| Family | Dogbane family (Apocynaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen shrub |
| Height | Usually 2 to 4 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
March to May
Flowering time
April to October
Poisonous - not eatenJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
Long narrow leathery leaves, pink, white or red flower clusters, and long thin pods.
Where it grows
Wild along valleys in Asir, Al-Baha and Makkah, and planted in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
Soil
Handles many soils, including salty soil.
Water and irrigation
Drought tolerant.
Climate and light
Hot with full sun.
Propagation
From cuttings.
Benefits and uses
- Ornamental plant and green hedge
- Handles heat and drought
Drawbacks
- All parts are very poisonous to people and animals
- Smoke from burning it is poisonous
- Keep it away from children and livestock
Important notes
Do not plant it where children play or near animal pens.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Nerium oleander
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Nerium oleander
- Wikipedia: Nerium
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) - Plant finder
- ASPCA - Toxic and non-toxic plants list
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)