The difference between Daphne koreana and Oleander

1. Different varieties

Daphne is an evergreen upright shrub belonging to the Thymelaeaceae family and the genus Daphne. It has relatively thick branches and cylindrical twigs. The outer color is purple-red or purple-brown and there is no hair on the surface.

Oleander is an evergreen upright large shrub belonging to the Apocynaceae family and the genus Oleander. It is very tall, reaching a height of about 5 meters. The branches are gray-green in color and contain liquid. The young branches have fine hairs, which will fall off as they grow up. It is also toxic and may cause poisoning or death if ingested by mistake.

2. Different leaves

The leaves of Daphne odora are alternate, oblong or obovate-elliptical in shape, about 7-13 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide, which is wider than the latter. The leaves have very few fine hairs, or are completely hairless.

The leaves of oleander are narrow lanceolate, narrower, about 11-15 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide, and have no hairs on the leaves.

3. Different flowers

The flowers of Daphne odora bloom from March to May. Its flowers are in head-shaped inflorescences. The outside of the flowers is lavender and the inside is flesh-red.

Oleander flowers bloom in winter and spring. The flowers are terminal cymes with dark red corollas, and there is also artificially cultivated white.