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Products > Thevetia thevetioides   Thevetia thevetioides - Giant Thevetia     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbanes) Origin: West Indies (North America) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Yellow Bloomtime: Summer/Winter Synonyms: [Cascabela thevetioides] Height: 8-12 feet Width: 8-12 feet Exposure: Full Sun Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes Thevetia thevetioides (Giant Thevetia) - A small, open, evergreen tropical tree from Puebla and Oaxaca Mexico that grows typically as a large shrub in Southern California where it reaches to 15 feet tall and is sparsely foliaged with attractive dark green leaves at the branch tips; the linear leaves are 3 to 6 inches long by ½ inch wide with the edges rolled underneath and pronounced veins on underside of the leaf. From mid-summer to late fall this plant produces showy 4 inch wide bright yellow funnel-shaped flowers. Plant in full sun and give regular irrigation in the summer. Hardy to 27 F. The specific epithet thevetioides means "similar to the Thevetia" as reference to the similarity of this plant with the plants in the C.S.Kunth (1819); genus Thevetia. This name makes more sense now that the original name, Cascabela thevetioides, that German botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth (1788-1850) first used to describe this plant in 1819, has been resurrected. We continue to use the name Thevetia thevetioides until this name change gains more general acceptance. The name Cascabela comes from the common name "Cascabel" used for this plant in Mexico. Other common names used for this plant include Giant Helveti, Giant Lucky Nut and Be-still Tree.  This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We also try to incorporate comments received from others and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Thevetia thevetioides.     [MORE INFO]