Oleander...not what it seems!

This beautiful flowering shrub is founds in most parts of the Mediteranean.....because it easily withstands seasonal droughts. The flowers range from red to pink to white. The shrubs grow easily to about 2 metres.

However, all parts of the plant are toxic to humans, birds, livestock and dogs. It is extremely toxic if eaten; contact with the sap can cause dermatitis and inhaling the smoke of burning plants.....such as at a BBQ....should be avoided!

Oleander has been grown since ancient times.....there are Roman paintings of the flowers on the walls of Pompeii....
and, Alexander the Great on his military campaigns, is said to have lost men as a result of eating meat skewered on highly poisonous oleander twigs.

Beautiful to look at....but best not to touch!
We don't have oleander bushes in our garden!