THE FOLKLORE OF PLANTS: Oleander

Lisa Karen Miller

          At the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, the ghost of a slave girl named Chloe walks the night.

          She had been the lover of the plantation’s owner, Judge Woodruff, but had begun to worry she would be turned out to work in the fields when another girl caught his wicked eye.   

          She devised a dark plan: she would bake some oleander leaves into a cake for his children.  This would make them sick, so she could nurse them back to health and cement her status in the house.

          Tragically, she misjudged the amount and killed both daughters. Fearing punishment by association, some of her fellow slaves hanged her and threw her body into the river.

          Visitors to the plantation claim they have captured Chloe in photographs.  Others testify to hearing the laughter of children when there are none about.

          Nerium oleander is one of the most toxic of garden plants, being harmful to both humans and animals. One of its common names is Dog Bane. Despite its toxicity, ancient Asian and Mediterranean texts describe medicinal uses for complaints as far ranging as skin diseases, asthma, epilepsy, and malaria.

          Its cardiac glycosides made it an important traditional treatment for congestive heart failure in China. An extract is currently being studied for use as a cancer treatment, with some success.

          Galveston, Texas is Oleander City.  The first ones were brought from Jamaica in 1841 by a local businessman as a gift for his wife. The city is now home to one of the most extensive collections anywhere in the world, its climate being perfect for this drought-tolerant flowering shrub.

          I can attest to its almost carefree hardiness.  In Phoenix, I replaced my water-guzzling cottonwood trees with oleander.  They thrived in the hot dry climate and bloomed prolifically. Insects completely ignored them. They would not survive in frost-prone Kentucky, however.

          In the language of flowers, the oleander says, “Act with caution and beware.” 

          Only logical, considering.

          In Italy, bringing any part of the plant indoors would bring disgrace, misfortune, and sickness to those inside.

          One legend says a beautiful Greek maiden was wooed by Leander, who swam the Hellespont every night to see her. One night he was drowned in a tempest. His lover found him dashed against the rocks as she walked the shores calling “Oh Leander, Oh Leander.” The beautiful flower was clutched in his hand. She removed it and kept it as a symbol of their love.

          If you should visit the Myrtles Plantation (www.myrtlesplantation.com) this Halloween, keep a sharp eye out for Chloe. 

          You never know.

© Copyright 2023 Lisa Karen Miller