Beware of Poodledog Bush
From Heidi Anderson, Wilderness/Trails Manager, Ojai Ranger District, USFS...Bush is growing on the Red Reef Trail from Hines Peak to Lady Bug Camp & Last Chance Trail.
TURRICULA PARRYI
After a wildfire, the dry ridges of Southern California may be invaded by the quaintly named poodledog bush. But all charm ends here, for the sticky and ill-scented poodledog is covered with stiff microscopic hairs that deliver a noxious punch. These glandular hairs, known as trichomes, discourage herbivores and plague passing hikers who brush up against the foliage. The chemicals — prenylated phenolics — emitted by the hairs cause dermatitis and an inflammation similar to that caused by poison oak. The scientific name Turricula means "little tower" in reference to the stalk of deep blue flowers that rises over the plant in the spring.
Key characteristics: This stout and densely leafed plant can form thickets growing nearly 10 feet tall. The long linear leaves may be rolled under along their margins.


Comments (21)
That headline caught me off-guard; thought this was political satire!
Comment #1 Posted by: Lisa Snider | June 30, 2008 01:13 PM
glad i'm not the only one, Lisa!
Comment #2 Posted by: evan austin | June 30, 2008 01:52 PM
I confess it totally discombobulated my brain when I finally grasped that "Bush" was a plant, not a prez.
I mean, doesn't "Bush is growing on the Red Reef Trail," "Lady Bug Camp," and "Last Chance Trail," sound like political satire?
Comment #3 Posted by: Suza | June 30, 2008 03:23 PM
and of course the headline: "Beware of Poodledog Bush"
Comment #4 Posted by: PS | June 30, 2008 03:25 PM
Poodledog Bush sounds like an unwaxed nether region.
Comment #5 Posted by: shangrilalife | June 30, 2008 03:35 PM
I am thoroughly amused, and would clarify that the title is verbatim from the USFS... :)
Comment #6 Posted by: Tyler | June 30, 2008 04:49 PM
I'm sure you were amused, but didn't you have even an inkling that we would read something else into the title?
I saw a plant that looks like this, but not sure. Do you Know Tyler if this is in the Valley now? Another plant that I've had trouble with is Star Thistle.
Comment #7 Posted by: Dana | June 30, 2008 06:06 PM
Star Thistle is truely evil. It takes over anywhere that has been tilled. When a field is turned over to kill weeds, the thistle is the first thing to claim the new territory. It is nearly impossible to erradicate and it is horrible on pets, bike tires and shins.
Comment #8 Posted by: Anonymous | June 30, 2008 06:28 PM
didn't you have even an inkling that we would read something else into the title?
Of course. :)
if this is in the Valley now?
not according to the USFS report. that's all the info I have.
Comment #9 Posted by: Tyler | June 30, 2008 07:47 PM
I totally agree with the USFS representative.
It's very important not to throw oneself naked into Poodledog Bush. Thousands of people have done this and have become slightly irritated skin-wise.
Remember: Nature is to be feared. That's why the USFS has clear-cut our forests while pretending to protect them.
http://www.forestadvocate.org/century/usfs.html
Someone has to cut down those dangerous trees!!
Trees are only slightly less dangerous than Poodledog Bush.
Trees and Poodledog Bush, and most of the rest of nature, MUST be eradicated ASAP.
Watch Out For Nature!!!
Sincerely,
Jock Doubleday
Director
Natural Woman, Natural Man, Inc.
A California 501(c)3 Nonprofit Corporation
http://www.SpontaneousCreation.org
director@spontaneouscreation.org
Comment #10 Posted by: Jock Doubleday | June 30, 2008 09:08 PM
just goes to show your hatred for the President. Anything derogotory with Bush in the phrase is automatically linked to the president. Nice openmindedness.
Comment #11 Posted by: bill fusion | July 1, 2008 06:06 AM
stop your whining, bile boy.
Comment #12 Posted by: bile confusion | July 1, 2008 09:48 AM
Anything derogotory with Bush in the phrase is automatically linked to the president.
How do you think I feel?
Comment #13 Posted by: Dick | July 1, 2008 12:15 PM
It's not my fault!
Comment #14 Posted by: Rose | July 1, 2008 04:10 PM
Thank you Sierra Club for all of the devastating forest fires started by lightening in northern and central California. Log it or lose it , I guess were going to lose it.
Comment #15 Posted by: Brian | July 1, 2008 05:07 PM
Log it or lose it , I guess were going to lose it.
You mean just like before there were any white people here?
Comment #16 Posted by: sounds good to me | July 1, 2008 07:51 PM
I wish to God that "Bush was growing"~ Unfortunately he has remained the same old schmuck since he came into office...It's Unfortunate that he never learned how to read or write. Speech? Well, that's out of the question, I think on speech he actually grew backwards. I have never called him Mr. President. I've always called him "the Schmuck Bush" that is trying to grow into the oval office and take over the whole world. It's about time he got trimmed, or is it skinned?
Comment #17 Posted by: The Schmuck Bush | July 1, 2008 08:13 PM
"The Schmuck Bush". I like it.
Comment #18 Posted by: The Beast Raban | July 1, 2008 09:10 PM
#16
No, like stupid white people like you have reduced the forests to burned cinder and have killed all the animals.
Comment #19 Posted by: Brian | July 1, 2008 09:33 PM
How does anyone as wrong as you manage to live from day to day? You amaze me, but not in a good way.
Comment #20 Posted by: #16 | July 1, 2008 09:52 PM
Not surprising to see
Brian lost in depravity
Incapable of learning
His anger rising
He's lonely and phony
And full of baloni
The years go by and still he persists
Stumbing and bludgeoning
Those who resist
His constant lying and thoughtlessness
The silver lining in the dark cloud of Brian
Is his demonstration of cerebral constipation
That infects too many in this land of stagnation
Comment #21 Posted by: brain plunger | July 3, 2008 12:38 AM