Bee-still tree (Cascabela thevetia, Feddes Repert. 91: 52 (1980))

Family: Apocynaceae

Author: (L.) Lippold

Bibliography: Feddes Repert. 91: 52 (1980)

Year: 1980

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cascabela

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to S. Trop. America

Description

The Bee-still tree, scientifically known as Cascabela thevetia, is a notable member of the Apocynaceae family, celebrated for its striking appearance and vibrant flowers. Native to a wide range stretching from Mexico to Southern Tropical America, this tree thrives in warm climates and can often be found gracing the landscapes of these regions.

This resilient tree demonstrates a remarkable adaptability to various soil types, though it prefers well-drained sites, ensuring robust growth and prolonged survival. The Bee-still tree typically reaches a moderate height, making it an attractive option for ornamental gardening and urban landscaping. Its narrow, glossy leaves provide an evergreen allure, contributing to its popularity.

One of the most distinguishing features of Cascabela thevetia is its trumpet-shaped flowers, which come in shades of yellow, orange, or peach. These blooms are not only visually appealing but also emit a pleasant fragrance that attracts pollinators, particularly bees, hence the common name, “Bee-still tree.” The flowering season can extend through multiple months, offering a prolonged period of beauty and ecological activity.

However, it is important to note that every part of the Bee-still tree is toxic if ingested. This characteristic has historically led to its use in traditional medicine under careful control but also necessitates caution in residential areas, especially around children and pets.

The Bee-still tree is documented in “Feddes Repertorium” (Vol. 91: 52, 1980), and this classification by (L.) Lippold underscores its recognized standing in botanical literature. As a plant that bridges aesthetic appeal with ecological significance, Cascabela thevetia continues to hold a valued place in both cultivated and natural settings across its native range.

Common Names

Spa: adelfa amarilla, covalonga
Deu: gelber oleander
Eng: milk tree
En: Bee-still Tree, Luckynut, Yellow oleander, Pelet sedangan, Milk tree, Lucky nut, Lucky-nut
As: কৰবী ফুল
Bn: কলকে ফুল
My: ဆယ့်နှစ်ရာသီပင်
Zh: 黃花夾竹桃
De: Gelber Oleander
He: תבטיה הרדופית
Hi: कनेर (पीली)
Id: Ginje
Jv: Woh macan
Kn: ಕಾಡು ಕಣಿಗಿಲೆ
Ml: മഞ്ഞരളി
Or: କନିଅର
Pa: ਪੀਲੀ ਕਨੇਰ
Sd: زنگي
Es: Adelfa amarilla, Covalonga
Su: Ki hujan
Sv: Tevetia
Te: పచ్చ గన్నేరు
Th: รำเพย
To: Pua kalipea
Ur: كسكابیلا تھاوٹیا

Synonyms

• Cerbera peruviana (Pers.)
• Thevetia linearis (Raf.)
• Cascabela peruviana ((Pers.) Raf.)
• Thevetia peruviana f. aurantiaca (H.St.John)
• Thevetia peruviana ((Pers.) K.Schum.)
• Thevetia neriifolia (Juss. ex A.DC.)
• Thevetia neriifolia var. pubescens (Müll.Arg.)
• Thevetia neriifolia var. leucantha (Müll.Arg.)
• Thevetia neriifolia var. hirsuta (Müll.Arg.)
• Thevetia longifolia (Vahl)
• Thevetia thevetia ((L.) H.Karst.)
• Cerbera linearifolia (Stokes)
• Cerbera thevetia (L.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 23, 2019 by Maxime Jean Charles Hébert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2021 by Dollis Caio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Radosław Urban (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Krishn Singh (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Arnaud Chapeaucou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Bernasconi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Ashx Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 8, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Luca Armadoro Luca Armadoro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − S. Paulin KOURA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2019 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Radosław Urban (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − S. Paulin KOURA (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Jérôme robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2020 by Oliveira Joana (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3169652)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:47927-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold)

Specifications

Growth