Yellow oleander| Cascabela thevetia| Thevetia peruviana| Thevetia neriifolia| Weed

Ekka · 3rd July 2009, 09:31 AM

Poisonous pest was a piece of history for James Cook | The Courier-Mail

Quote:

Poisonous pest was a piece of history for James Cook

THE "tree" where Captain James Cook moored the Endeavour when it was repaired in Cooktown in 1770 turns out to be a poisonous weed.

For more than two centuries, the plant has been known as the Captain Cook tree.

Small sections of the so-called "original" are on display in museums and during Australia's bicentenary celebrations, specimens were handed out to the public.

But what was thought to be a native plant turns out to be cascabella thevetia, or yellow oleander, and is a declared weed.

Scientists believe it was introduced before Cook sailed up the east coast, ran up on a coral reef, refloated and repaired his ship in what became the Endeavour River.

Its origin has not been determined but the plant existed earlier in Pacific islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka and South America.

The most likely explanation is that it arrived here as a result of trade between indigenous Australians and Pacific Islanders.

Whatever the source, it is now a declared weed.

Biosecurity Queensland has embarked on a five-year program to contain its spread.

"It is actually a dangerous weed that is becoming a problem in our rainforests and woodland areas," Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said.

Biosecurity Queensland weed scientist Faiz Bebawi said that like many plants grown as ornamental species, the tree had "jumped the garden fence".

It grew to 3m tall and had distinctive tubular yellow or peach flowers and green fruit.

"Every part of the tree is poisonous, including the leaves, fruit and milky sap, and fumes from burning trees could be dangerous to people," Mr Bebawi said.

Plants and mushrooms - Yellow oleander

Quote:

Common name Yellow oleander
Botanical name Cascabela thevetia (also known as Thevetia peruviana or Thevetia neriifolia)
Other common names Cook tree, Be-still tree, Lucky nut, Dicky plant
Family Apocynaceae
General description A large spreading shrub usually 2.5–3.5m tall.
Flowers The sweetly perfumed flowers are funnel-shaped, bright yellow or peach coloured, 5.5–7cm long and 2.5–4cm wide, grouped in clusters at the end of the branches.
Leaves The leaves are glossy green, strap-like, alternating on the stem, 5.5–15cm long and 0.5–1.5cm wide.
Fruit/Berries The fruit are angular, green when immature, ripening black, broader than long and somewhat triangular in outline, with a raised ridge around the middle, about 3–4.5cm in diameter. The fruit is fleshy and soft like a plum and encloses a “stone” comprising two starchy kernels.
Other The sap is milky.
Symptoms All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, particularly the fruit and seeds. This species has been responsible for the deaths of several children. Symptoms may include a burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and a slow or irregular heartbeat. The sap may be an irritant and cause dermatitis or blistering.
Toxicity category 1, 3
Warning Seek urgent medical assistance for all ingestions.

Done it · 26th January 2010, 10:08 PM

Fancy finding this today, Australia Day.

I guess it proves Thor Heyerdahl right again. THOR HEYERDAHL EXPEDITIONS and ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE PACIFIC PEOPLES

Last year I took some seeds home from a place I was working and planted them, didn't know what they were at the time but the lady said she got them from Queensland and the shrub had nice yellow flowers.

Turned out Salmon coloured

After some searching I found it was a Mexican Oleander [along with other names] Can they change colour?

Galbee · 26th January 2010, 10:12 PM

What is your soils PH? that can hange some flower colours

Done it · 26th January 2010, 10:29 PM

Yes, Hydrangeas especially. I still have some in pots they are about to flower again, I'll repot one.

Actually I was surprised they even came up, seeds were old and I just stuck them in some old pots. A weed for sure.

26th January 2010, 10:12 PM	#3
Galbee Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,185	Re: Yellow oleander\| Cascabela thevetia\| Thevetia peruviana\| Thevetia neriifolia\| Wee What is your soils PH? that can hange some flower colours __________________ In the land of the blind, the man with one eye is king

26th January 2010, 10:29 PM	#4
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Parramatta. nsw. Australia. Posts: 629	Re: Yellow oleander\| Cascabela thevetia\| Thevetia peruviana\| Thevetia neriifolia\| Wee Yes, Hydrangeas especially. I still have some in pots they are about to flower again, I'll repot one. Actually I was surprised they even came up, seeds were old and I just stuck them in some old pots. A weed for sure.

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