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The Collaborative International Dictionary
rose laurel

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 ( Nerium oleander) of the Dogbane family, having clusters of fragrant red, white, or pink flowers. It is a 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.