Bay laurel
Laurus nobilis has broader aromatic leaves and small yellowish flowers.
Use the botanical sourceToxic · do not eat
Oleander.
Nerium oleander
A common ornamental shrub with narrow leathery leaves and pink, white or red flowers, poisonous in every part.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Toxic. Keep out of food and tea.
Poison help Contains cardiac glycosides. Leaves, flowers, sap and smoke from burning are dangerous. Never use stems as skewers.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 12,783
- People who recorded it
- 8,655
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- Apr–Aug
- Records span
- 1967–2026
| January | 472 |
|---|---|
| February | 518 |
| March | 604 |
| April | 1568 |
| May | 1905 |
| June | 1569 |
| July | 1392 |
| August | 929 |
| September | 752 |
| October | 803 |
| November | 578 |
| December | 449 |
| January | 112 |
|---|---|
| February | 112 |
| March | 89 |
| April | 172 |
| May | 114 |
| June | 80 |
| July | 65 |
| August | 61 |
| September | 78 |
| October | 128 |
| November | 130 |
| December | 103 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Evergreen shrub with narrow, leathery leaves in whorls of three or pairs.
- 02
Clusters of five-petaled pink, white or red flowers.
- 03
Long, narrow seed pods with hairy seeds.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Willow
Willows have catkins, not showy flowers.
Use the botanical sourceSelected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Native from the Mediterranean to Asia; planted in warm climates worldwide.
Watch the plant stage
Hazard exists at every growth stage.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Observe. Leave intact.
Do not eat, brew, taste or collect for the pantry.
Care for the patch
Do not burn trimmings; dispose of them as green waste.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Nerium oleanderBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Nerium oleanderTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction