Cascabela thevetia - Flora of Qatar

Cascabela peruviana, Cerbera linearifolia, Cerbera peruviana, Cerbera thevetia, Thevetia linearis, Thevetia neriifolia, Thevetia peruviana, Thevetia thevetia

Common names

Extract from Wikipedia article

Cascabela thevetia (syn: Thevetia peruviana) is a poisonous plant of central and southern Mexico and Central America. It is a relative of Nerium oleander, giving it a common name Yellow Oleander, and is also called lucky nut in the West Indies.[+]

C. thevetia is an evergreen tropical shrub or small tree. Its leaves are willow-like, linear-lanceolate, and glossy green in color. They are covered in waxy coating to reduce water loss (typical of oleanders). Its stem is green turning silver/gray as it ages.

Flowers bloom from summer to fall. The long funnel-shaped sometimes-fragrant yellow (less commonly apricot, sometimes white) flowers are in few-flowered terminal clusters. Its fruit is deep red-black in color encasing a large seed that bears some resemblance to a 'Chinese lucky nut.'

AI-generated Description

Thevetia peruviana, also known as the Yellow Oleander, is an evergreen shrub native to tropical America. In Qatar, it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive yellow flowers and ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions. Studies have reported its presence in Qatari gardens, parks, and roadside plantings, where it often naturalizes and can become invasive. Its toxic seeds and leaves contain thevetin and neriifolin, which can be hazardous to humans and animals if ingested. Despite its toxicity, Thevetia peruviana remains a popular ornamental in Qatar due to its drought tolerance and vibrant blooms.

Lucky nut (Thevetia peruviana or may be nerifolia) in Al Shamal City Park. Ruwais, Northern Qatar, April 3, 2015

Al Shamal Road, Al Ruwais, Qatar

Fruits of Lucky nut (Thevetia peruviana or may be nerifolia) planted in Al Shamal City Park. Ruwais, Northern Qatar, November 20, 2015

Al Shamal Rd, Al Ruwais, Qatar

Lucky nut (Thevetia peruviana or may be nerifolia) planted in Al Shamal City Park. Ruwais, Northern Qatar, November 20, 2015

Al Shamal Rd, Al Ruwais, Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

Observations of Thevetia peruviana in Qatar indicate that the plant can thrive in various locations. On Al Istiqlal Street in West Bay, Doha, a Lucky nut tree was spotted on April 22, 2014. In Ruwais, Northern Qatar, the plant was observed in Al Shamal City Park on April 3, 2015, with uncertainty about its specific species, possibly being nerifolia. Later, on November 20, 2015, the same park had Lucky nut trees with fruits, confirming their ability to produce fruit in the Qatari environment. The presence of these plants in urban parks suggests they can be cultivated and maintained in Qatar's climate. Repeat sightings in Al Shamal City Park also imply that the plant can survive and grow over time in the region.

Links

Outside links

How the web page was created

Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.

Cascabela thevetia (L.) H. Lippold

Synonyms