Lucky nut, Yellow Oleander
Cascabela thevetia
Summary 5
Pollen:Low
Nectar: Low
Plant toxic; seeds very dangerous.
Flowering time 1-12, 10-2? Mexico, West Indies. Invasive in KZN and few localities in LIM. Densely leaved shrub or small tree. garden and street ornamental. Poisionous. Fragrant, yellow trumpet flowers. Bees collect nectar from the flower base after the corolla has dropped, or on the fallen flowers themselves. Rarely do bees try to obtain nectar from the flower front, possibly when the nectar flow is strong. (Johannsmeier, M. F. (2016). Beeplants of South Africa: Sources of Nectar, Pollen, Honeydew and Propolis for Honeybees)
Blooms Jan-Dec, tolerated a dry climae, sea spray. Propagated by seeds or cuttings. (p. 55 Le Corre 1985)
A small tree holding a scattering of silky, trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers and narrow, shimmering, light green foliage is popularly called the be-still tree. There seems to be no good reason for this name. Its second name, yellow oleander, reers to the leaves which suggest those of the oleander, thus accounting also for its specific botanical name of neriifolia. However, it is not related to the oleanders, and the name is misleading. The flowers are a clear, satiny yellow with a delightful fragrance. They appear at all times of the year and hang individually over the tree. A less commonly seen kind is the variety aurantiaca. It has pale-orange-colored flowers. All parts of this attractive tree are actively poisonous if eaten. The brown or black nut produces a powerful heart medicine. (Kuck, L. E., & Tongg, R. C. (1965). Hawaiian flowers & flowering trees)
Sources and Credits
- (c) Lalithamba, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/45835639@N04/4327543437/
- (c) James Steamer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by James Steamer
- (c) FRANCISCO MIGUEL FARRIOLS ESTRADA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by FRANCISCO MIGUEL FARRIOLS ESTRADA
- (c) Roger Culos, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thevetia_peruviana_MHNT.BOT.2007.27.24.jpg
- (c) Megan W., some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
- iNat taxon page
- African Plants - a photo guide
- Atlas of Living Australia
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- BOLD Systems BIN search
- Calflora
- CalPhotos
- Catalogo de Plantas y Líquenes de Colombia
- eFloras.org
- Flora Digital de Portugal
- Flora of North America (beta)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
- IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
- Jepson eFlora
- NatureServe Explorer 2.0
- SEINet Symbiota portals
- Tropicos
- USDA PLANTS database
- World Flora Online
