夹竹桃属 jia zhu tao shu

Trees or shrubs, evergreen, juice watery. Leaves in whorls of 3, midvein prominent abaxially, lateral veins numerous, parallel. Inflorescences corymbose, terminal. Corolla funnelform, cylindric near base, throat open, wide, lobes overlapping to right; corona segments 5, petal-like, large, fringed. Stamens inserted at apex of corolla tube; anthers sagittate, with a bristly, filiform apical appendage, pilose, connivent, adherent to pistil head; disc absent. Ovaries 2, distinct; ovules numerous in each locule. Follicles united until just before dehiscence. Seeds numerous, densely pilose, coma at truncate apex.

One species: Asia, Europe, North Africa.

Lower Taxon

• Nerium oleander Linnaeus