thevetia
thevetia Lexical Profile
• noun
A genus of poisonous evergreen shrubs and small trees in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), native to tropical regions of the Americas, characterized by narrow leaves and tubular yellow or orange flowers.
"The gardener wore heavy gloves while pruning the thevetia, as its milky sap contains potent cardiac glycosides that are highly toxic."
Word Nuance & Usage
While colloquially referred to as 'yellow oleander', it belongs to a different genus than true oleander (Nerium); it is notorious in botanical and medical circles for its severe cardiac toxicity.
• Rhymes for thevetia
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named by Carl Linnaeus in honor of André Thévet, a 16th-century French Franciscan priest and explorer who brought extensive accounts and botanical specimens from the Americas to Europe.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.