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Oleander bushes are the latest Southern California plant infected by a scourge that seems imppssible to stop. If they all start dying, some parts of L.A. will look denuded. Lisa Mascaro in the Daily News has the story.
Experts say as many as half of the oleanders in Southern California are now infected with the bacteria that causes leaf scorch, and it's only a matter of time before the landscaping mainstay is gone for good. They also worry the problem could spread to liquidambar, olive and purple leaf plum trees -- all popular with landscapers."It hasn't generated a lot of interest because, as I tell people, the oleander is the Rodney Dangerfield of the plant world," said Matthew Blua, an entomologist at the University of California, Riverside. "It doesn't get much respect."
Around Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I spent New Year's, bark beetles are killing off the native but drought-stressed pinon pines. It was a startling difference from just two years ago. A little piece from long ago: Voracuious Beetles Take Toll on Sierra Trees
It seems about a couple of times every decade, some kids innocently eat Orleander leaves and then die. I was just in a friend of friend's back yard. The wife is pregnant, I saw orleander bush, told them to take it out. They had no idea of danger. On the other hand Orleaners sure color up sides of freeways with bright flowers.
Posted by: Jaime at January 16, 2004 03:56 PMWell, I grew up around oleander and it never occurred to me to put any part of it in my mouth. So, I will mourn these beautiful plants when they're gone. I live in my grandma's old house now, and we've got a couple of big old roof-high beauties that are doing fine for the moment. Knock on wood.
Laurie K.
Posted by: Laurie K. at January 17, 2004 10:40 PMWhat's with all these infestations? The pines in the San Bernardino mountains are dying en masse, and now the oleander bush is choking. The LA Times several months ago had an article about how the palms in Beverly Hills are dying from disease. This along with drought, brush fires and that big earthquake predicted in our future? The apocalypse is near!!
Posted by: TTmse at January 18, 2004 02:37 PM
And yet California oaks, coastal sage, and manzanita are thriving...
And you can never go wrong with citrus in SoCal.
Regards
Posted by: Brad Smith at January 18, 2004 08:01 PM
of LA Observed
Good riddance to the Shrub of Death. I shudder to see oleander so widely planted. Whenever I talk to non-native Californians about the plant, they seem to know nothing about its dangers. You don't often hear of oleander poisonings, though... except that batty mortician some years back.
Posted by: Kim Cooper at January 16, 2004 01:25 PM