Korobi or Oleander, Nerium oleander

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Korobi or Oleander (Nerium oleander, family: Apocynaceae) is an evergreen shrub with branches, attaining a height of 2-3 m. The whole tree is full of milky latex. It is one of the best flowering garden plants in the tropical world. It is commonly seen in backyards, gardens, parks and botanical gardens in Bangladesh. It is also found in some countries of South and East Asia and in Mediterranean region.


Leaves are dark green, linear-lanceolate, 10-15 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, opposite or entire, thick, narrowed at base and end. The upright leaves are mostly gathered at the end of the branches. 


Flowers are showy and nice scented; red, pink or white in color, 3-5 cm wide, borne at the end of branches much in number. The number of petals may vary from plant  to plant. Single layered flowers contain 5 petals. These bloom mainly in summer to rainy season. These can be seen round the year too. 


Fruit is a pod, linear-slender, 6-20 cm, dehiscent. Seeds are poisonous.


Propagation is caused by air layering. Saplings can be easily obtained by breaking its branches and planting them in the ground.


It is used in sore, scabies, leprosy, intestinal gas and chronic cold. The shrub can be pruned and given a bushy shape. 

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