Source: IE Kerala has banned the use of Oleander flowers (Nerium Oleander ) (locally known as Arali) in temple offerings after a woman died from accidentally chewing poisonous oleander leaves. Oleander , also called rosebay, is a widely cultivated plant found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions around the world. Nerium oleander , also known as oleander or rosebay, is a shrub or small tree with white, pink or red flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin and widely cultivated in temperate and subtropical areas, but it is toxic to humans and animals. About Oleander Oleander is a common ornamental and landscaping plant worldwide in temperate and subtropical areas. In the wild, the plant occurs near stream beds in river valleys. Oleander comes along with many eye-catching varieties to choose from. Some of the most interesting cultivars are ‘Alsace’, ‘Calypso’, ‘Hardy Pink’, ‘Hardy Red’, ‘Hawaii, ‘Isle of Capri’, ‘Petite Salmon’, ‘Provence’, ‘Sister Agnes’, ‘Splendens’, and ‘Variegated Plenum ... Oleanders (Nerium oleander ) are a mainstay of Mediterranean gardens, widely used for screen planting, on hillsides and alongside roads. Flowering in summer, the large open flower clusters can be single or double, and come in many colours including white, pink, red and peach.
