Cascabela Thevetia, Yellow Oleander, Bitti (Yellow) – Plant

Common name: Yellow oleander

Botanical name: Cascabela Thevetia (also known as Thevetia peruviana or Thevetia neriifolia)

Other common names: Cook tree, Be-still tree, Lucky nut, Dicky plant

Family: Apocynaceae

General description: A large spreading shrub usually 2.5–3.5m tall.

Flowers: The sweetly perfumed flowers are funnel-shaped, bright yellow or peach-colored, 5.5–7cm long and 2.5–4cm wide, grouped in clusters at the end of the branches.

Leaves: The leaves are glossy green, strap-like, alternating on the stem, 5.5–15cm long and 0.5–1.5cm wide.

Fruit/Berries: The fruit is angular, green when immature, ripening black, broader than long, and somewhat triangular in outline, with a raised ridge around the middle, about 3–4.5cm in diameter. The fruit is fleshy and soft like plum and encloses a “stone” comprising two starchy kernels.