oleander Apocynaceae Nerium oleander

Leaf:Opposite or whorled, evergreen, simple, linear to lanceolate, entire, 5 to 10 inches long, leathery with a yellow conspicuous mid-vein, bright green above, paler beneath.
Flower:Species is monoecious; very showy, 1 to 2 inches across, 5 large petals with a wide range of colors (pinks to red most common), appearing in terminal clusters in summer on new growth; although summer is peak flowering, some flowers may be present year round.
Fruit:Elongated woody pod, 4 to 6 inches long, splits open when ripe (summer through fall) to release small feathery seeds.
Twig:Stout, shiny green later turns light brown, very smooth.
Bark:Light brown to gray, with little texture and only a slightly rough surface.
Form:A multi-stemmed shrub reaching up to 20 feet with a similar spread. It can be trained into a small tree.

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