Αροδάφνη, Πικροδάφνη, Νήριον το ελαιόφυλλο
Etymology of Nerium oleander: The genus name "Nerium" is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek name for the plant "νήριον" [nerion] mentioned by Dioscorides, which is in turn derived from the word "νηρόν" [neron], possibly meaning "water", because of the natural habitat of the oleander along rivers and streams. The Medieval Latin epithet, "oleander", originates from the Latin "olea" [olea], meaning "olive tree", which in turn derives from the Ancient Greek word "ελαία" [elea] for the "olive tree", referring to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the olive tree.
It is the one and only Nerium species/kind that exists in the wild Cypriot habitat.
Nerium oleander is a popular plant in gardens, but in the wild nature is relatively rare, even though it is said to appear in all the districts of the island, up to an altitude of 925 metres. It primarily grows near streams. Its flowering period is between May and July.
