OLEANDER

O′le‐an″der (?), n. [[F. oléandre (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 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. ☞ Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and death has occured from using its wood for skewers in cooking meat.