Cardon Man
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Laurel plant vs. vacas?
Is it true that cows won't eat laurel plants? I was given several and advised that they would be ok to plant outside the fence line since cows won't
eat them.
A quick google search indicates that laurels are poisonous to cows and horses. And that even bees visiting the flowers may yield tainted honey for
this reason.
Any insights or experiences from Baja gardeners would be much appreciated...
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classicbajabronco
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The local cows here eat bags of concrete..and that can't be good for them. I know of ranchers who have feed there cows cardboard as well.
I expect a Laurel would be mighty tasty in comparison...as well as pass through the intestines and further.... a little easier!
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Mexitron
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Just out of curiosity do you know the latin name of the Laurel plant you're talking about...there's lots of plants under that moniker...
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Cardon Man
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I wish I knew the latin name of the plant in question. I'll see if I can't get to the bottom of that....
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oladulce
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Don't know the real name of the shrub we call the "cow bush" but it's got small, light green leaves and tiny lavender flowers and it's the only thing
left standing if vacas come wandering through. People in town use the plants as hedges around their property. I can't find a photo of one anywhere! We
had a couple that grew to about 6 ft high. They start to get "woody" and not very attractive if you don't keep them trimmed up.
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Mexitron
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Sounds like the hedges folks have around B. Asuncion too...can't remember the name though...
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ecomujeres
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Sounds like it could be Vitex mollis or Vitex trifoliata. Flowers are lavender, with 5 small unequal lobes. Fruit is round and hard when mature,
either black or dark brown and about 1/4"(or larger) in diameter. How does that sound?
V. mollis generally has grayish-green leaves that are finely hairy. V. trifoliata leaves tend to be more shiny.
Try these sites:
http://www.desertmuseum.org/programs/alamos_trees_vitmol.php
http://www.desertmuseumdigitallibrary.org/public/results.php...
(Edited: the above URL didn't post correctly. Make sure to select the entire URL to get to the correct page)
http://arboretum.arizona.edu/taxa/Vitex_mollis.html
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by ecomujeres]
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by ecomujeres]
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by ecomujeres]
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tiotomasbcs
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Laureles as in Oleander? Multi colored--some pink, red, white or yellow. I remember reading in Hawaii that military guys would use dried stems for
bar- b- que and get very sick!! Oleander makes a nice hedge just be careful! Tio
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k-rico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
Laureles as in Oleander? Multi colored--some pink, red, white or yellow. I remember reading in Hawaii that military guys would use dried stems for
bar- b- que and get very sick!! Oleander makes a nice hedge just be careful! Tio |
Oleander is tuff stuff. That's what the used to plant in the middle of freeways. It's all pretty much gone now in favor of extra lanes.
Along those lines, I hear they're adding 20 lanes north of the 805 and 5 merge in SD county. That should get it up over 25 mph during rush hours (when
the sun is up).
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Mexitron
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I don't think its a Vitex...it has the look of the Desert Lavender that is native to Baja....I keep thinking it might be some type of Cordia...I U2Ud
shari in Asuncion for help...
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ecomujeres
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A couple of photos would help--flowers/fruit, leaves, habit
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shari
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I'll go take some photos this afternoon on our way to the secret beach...I gave Juan a couple hours off from the rock pile
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wessongroup
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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here is a photo of the hedge plant Mexitron was talking about...it is very aromatic as well so makes sense cows dont like it....is it a laurel?
[Edited on 6-9-2010 by shari]
[Edited on 6-9-2010 by shari]
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ecomujeres
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Thanks Shari:
Can't see the flowers very well, but it certainly does look like a Vitex from what I see.
It's very common as a hedge throughout the state. Comes in varieties with shiny leaves, hairy/silvery leaves or even variegated leaves. Check the
links I gave in previous post to see if the flowers look like those of your plant. Or maybe you could post a closeup of the flowers?
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shari
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dont know if this will help...a bit fuzzy blown up
[Edited on 6-9-2010 by shari]
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Mexitron
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you're right ecomujeres---I think its a Vitex too...old man's memory...
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ecomujeres
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Thanks Shari & Mexitron. I've also just had more time to check out the original photo. Saved it then was able to use my photo program to zoom in
a bit. I can clearly see the two-lipped flowers and the beginning fruit of a Vitex.
Looks like the leaves are kind of grayish-green, probably hairy, which would make it Vitex mollis.
I've tried to find info about toxicity on-line, but nothing much really comes up other than the use of some species as herbal remedies. There have
also been some studies of a related species that show promise as containing an insecticidal compound (against mosquitoes). The presence of volatile
oils giving it its strong odor may be why animals don't like to eat this plant.
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