Oleander \O`le*an"der\, n. [F. ol['e]andre (cf. It. oleandro,
LL. lorandrum), prob. corrupted, under the influence of
laurus laurel, fr. L. rhododendron, Gr. ?; ? rose + ? tree.]
(Bot.)
A beautiful evergreen shrub of the Dogbane family, having
clusters of fragrant red or white flowers. It is native of
the East Indies, but the red variety has become common in the
south of Europe. Called also rosebay, rose laurel, and
South-sea rose.
Note: Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and
death has occured from using its wood for skewers in
cooking meat.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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