No, oleanders do not grow in Tenn (and if they could, you would eventually hate them. They develop deep roots and are hard to remove. Several years ago a miniature one was developed, which is supposed to be safe. The poisoning comes in chewing the leaves of the plant.) In Arizona these plants are used along freeways and in rock/granite areas with no grass. They grow easily, have beautiful blooms (but stinky) and do well in extreme heat and no rain. M. -------Original Message------- From: B & B West Date: 07/25/05 14:49:26 To: TNSMITH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [TNSMITH] "olena como" From: Frlva@aol.com oleandar poisoning? That was/is my guess but when I get a copy of the death certificate I'll check for a typo in the funeral home records. Do oleanders grow in the Smith, Macon, Trousdale Co. areas of TN? Bobby L. ==== TNSMITH Mailing List ==== Volunteer To Transcribe For The Smith Co Census Project. Already In Progress! http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnsmith/tngen/census.htm

Even though this is "off topic", poisoning from oleanders is not limited to chewing the leaf. (One leaf is sufficient to kill a child.) However, *all* parts (leaf, stem & flowers) are poisonous if ingested. Cases have been reported from inhaling fumes from burning. Skewering & cooking meat on an oleander stem is poisonous. Even ingesting honey made by bees visiting the flowers have produced toxic effects.