Ascension : Oleanders
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 12.03.2009 (Article Archived on 26.03.2009)

This is a large tropical family of tall rain forest trees, smaller trees and shrubs, lianas, and a few temperate plants such as Vinca.

This is a large tropical family of tall rain forest trees, smaller trees and shrubs, lianas, and a few temperate plants such as Vinca.

The small genus Nerium consists of one or two species of evergreen shrubs native to northern Africa and south-western Asia. In the wild oleanders grow in the riverbeds of the Mediterranean area. It has, however, evolved great tolerance since its natural riverside habitats often dries out in the summer months. It is able to survive in desert-like conditions and once established is drought resistant.

The Nerium oleander may be a shrub or small tree, with dull green, narrow, leathery leaves. The flowers may be single or double, generally pink, but red and white varieties have also been planted in Two Boats Village, at Traveller’s Hill and in Georgetown. The flowers are followed by bean-like seedpods containing silvery plumbed seeds which disperse on the breeze. All parts of the plant contain a poisonous white ‘milk’ or latex. However, this latex may be used in medicine for its glucosides.

Oleanders at Garden Cottage were among some of the early introductions on Green Mountain. Writing in the Farm records about the then current state of cultivation (in the mid 1800s) the Manager mentions as nerium splendens ‘in the garden before the Cottage’. (Text from Wendy Fairhurst Book – Flowering Plants of Ascension Island)

(Photograph taken by Wendy Fairhurst at Earth Station on the NASA Road)