Cascabela thevetia
Be-still Tree
Venevene MG
f.APOCYNACEAE
Periwinkles
Cascabela thevetia
Be-still Tree
Venevene MG
f.APOCYNACEAE
Periwinkles
Cook Islands Status Summary
Show Notes
Intl. NamesBe‑still Tree EN Lucky Nut EN Yellow Oleander EN Thevetie DE Tropischer Oleander DE
Local NamesP,?NRR VeneveneMG,MT PuaMK
Pacific NamesNo Content
Sci. NamesCascabela thevetia (accepted name)
, Cascabela peruviana, Thevetia peruviana
High Tax. Eng.k.Plants, p.Flowering Plants, f.Periwinkles - a shrub
High Tax. Latink.PLANTAE, p.ANTHOPHYTA, c.MAGNOLIOPSIDA, sc.ASTERIDAE, o.Gentianales, f.APOCYNACEAE
Natl. PresencePresent
Sth. PresenceRR+++MG+++AT-MK++MT+AK?PL-MN+ LTK?
Nth. PresenceTN-MH-RK-PK-NS-SW-
VouchersMN1974
Local OriginIntroduced; Recent; Naturalised
Global RangeNative: S.America - Caribbean;
HabitatLand; Lowlands, Horticultural Zone
ThreatenedNo Content
InvasivenessNo Content
BiosecurityNo Content
Medical StatusNo Content
Harmful StatusHarmful - serious; poisonous to eat
UsesOrnamental - flowers
IdentificationNo Content
Similar SpeciesNo Content
Interest NoteAll parts of this plant are dangerously poisonous if ingestemore...d. The poison is a digitalis-like chemical, thevetin. The symptoms of poisoning include a slow irregular heartbeat, vomiting and shock which may lead to death. Two children in Hawaii who ate Be-still fruit died. (Arnold 1968)
Show All Notes
Multimedia & Other Resources
Click on a thumbnail to see the full image and image details.
Vernacular Names
no data available
Threatened
no data available
Invasive/Pest Status
no data available
Biosecurity
Citation Information
McCormack, Gerald (2026) Cook Islands Biodiversity & Ethnobiology Database, Version 2026.05.13 - Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. Online at https://naturalheritage.gov.ck/cibed
Please refer to our use policy.
Saved Species
X of 20
- Save Species