Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: HT
Context: Kerala temples ban oleander flower offerings following a woman’s suspected poisoning death from consuming oleander leaves.
Oleander is a poisonous plant known scientifically as Nerium oleander. It contains toxic compounds throughout its parts, including leaves and flowers. Ingestion of oleander can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, bloody diarrhoea, and irregular heart rhythm.
They are fast-growing evergreen shrubs or small trees native to Europe and Asia. In Kerala, they are also called arali and kanaveeram. Oleander is tolerant to heat, drought, wind, air pollution, salt, and poor soil.
