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Oleanders The oleanders lining the freeways have unfurled their beautiful, vibrant colors, but we must not allow their loveliness to lure us into forgetting they are quite toxic. The oleander plant contains the toxins oleandrin and nerioside, and when the plant is ingested, these toxins strike the heart. All parts of the plant are toxic, fresh or dried, and even the smoke produced by burning the plant can be dangerous. Plant Characteristics: The oleander shrub is easy to identify. Look for its lance-shaped, leathery leaves, which are about 8 to 10 inches long and grow opposite each other on stems. The radiant flowers bloom in the summer and are red or pink or white or yellow, about 1 to 3 inches in diameter, and in clusters at the ends of the branches. The shrub is evergreen, and it can be from 5 to 20 feet tall at maturity. Oleander is a common plant in California landscapes because it is an evergreen shrub with a profusion of flowers over a long blooming season. In the valley, blooms start around Mother's Day and continue through Halloween. Oleander is also hardy, sturdy, and performs well under dry and adverse conditions. It's no wonder it is planted along our freeways. Toxic Effects Depend on the Dose: Don't let the toxins in the plant worry you unduly. Oleander poisonings in humans are rare. But it is best to be informed about the dangers, because human poisonings can occur, and they can be fatal. The amount of the plant that can cause fatality varies by weight and health--ingestion of a single leaf may make a healthy adult sick but could kill a small child. There have been reports of poisonings resulting from using oleander branches as skewers to roast hot dogs and from children sucking nectar from the flowers or chewing on leaves. Symptoms usually occur several hours after ingesting a toxic dose, and may include dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of consciousness, bloody stools, and light and rapid pulse. What to Do: In the event of poisoning or suspected ingestion of any part of the oleander plant, contact your doctor or the California Poison Control System (1-800-876-4766), or if the person is in extreme distress, call 911. Take a large portion of the plant with you to your doctor's office or the emergency room so the plant and toxin can be definitively identified and treatment administered expeditiously. There is no remedy for oleander poisoning, but doctors can treat the symptoms and counteract the toxins' effects. Animal Concerns and Protection: Oleander poisonings can also occur in pets and livestock. The plant has a bad taste, but hungry or bored animals will chew on the plants nonetheless. Most animal oleander poisonings are due to animals grazing on dried clippings from the shrub, which are more palatable but still contain the toxin. This usually happens when clippings are dumped where cows, horses, and sheep graze, or when dried leaves cut from the plant during pruning and clipping blow into pasture and mix with feed. Approximately 10 to 20 leaves can be fatal for a cow. Approximately 30 to 40 leaves can be lethal for a horse. If you observe animals eating oleander, contact a veterinarian immediately. Emergency measures may be used to purge plant matter and to control the effects that the toxin has on the heart. The sooner treatment is begun, the better the prognosis for survival. Keep Things in Perspective: Don't allow the toxicity of
oleander alarm you. The fact is most poisonings in California are
due to carbon monoxide. The most commonly ingested poisons for children
under six are everyday household products, such as cosmetics, cleaning
substances, and pain relievers. Oleander is a lovely plant, and
its drought resistance and hardiness and long-blooming beauty make
it very desirable. But do watch children and animals around these
plants. If you have oleander in your yard, be certain that children
and animals do not have access to the plants or to leaves or branches
they shed or that are trimmed. For more information on this poisonous
plant and others, consult the California Poison Control System's
Web site at www.calpoison.org/home.html.
July 17, 2003 |