
The bacterium is transmitted and spread by xylem-feeding insects, such as sharp shooters, leaf hoppers or spittle bugs. The bacterium resides in the xylem vessels (water-conducting channels) of the plant, where it multiplies and blocks these channels and eventually obstructs the flow of water and nutrients within the plant. Even if you see only a few leaves affected, the entire shrub is infected and will die within 3 5 years. In southern California, a different strain of this bacterium called Oleander leaf scorch causes necrotic conditions to leaves of. These browning tips are also a sign of oleander leaf scorch, but this particular sign can also indicate high salts in the soil. Different strains of this bacterium are known to cause several economically important diseases, including Pierce’s disease of grapevine, plum leaf scald and leaf scorch of almond, coffee, pear, pecan, oak and several other landscape trees. fastidiosa cultured from diseased oleanders caused oleander leaf scorch disease and the bacterium was re-isolated from inoculated plants that became diseased. This occurs because the bacteria rapidly multiply, blocking the vascular system of the plant. Twigs and branches die back and within 2 years the entire plant may die. The major symptoms are yellowing along the tips and edges of oleander leaves followed by scorching of margins and leaf tips. However, if an oleander is drought-stressed, the leaves begin turning yellow at the middle and then spread outward. At last, an oleander disease has appeared that plant pathologists can diagnose easily it is oleander leaf scorch or OLS. Symptoms include drooping and yellowing leaves, which are also symptoms of drought stress or nutrient deficiencies. It is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which is the same species (although a differ-ent strain) that causes Pierce’s dis-ease of grapevines and almond leaf scorch.


OLS is a bacterial disease caused by Xylella fastidiosa. Oleander leaf scorch is caused by the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. Oleander leaf scorch is a relatively new disease found mainly in south-ern California. Since then, OLS has been found across the southern United States and was recently reported in Louisiana. What is commonly mistaken for drought symptoms, oleander leaf scorch (OLS) is actually the culprit for oleanders yellowing, drooping and appearing scorched by the sun.

Oleander leaf scorch (OLS) is a deadly disease of oleander that was first reported in California in the early 1990s. Despite being poisonous, it is a popular ornamental plant for use in landscapes, gardens, parks, roadsides and highway medians. Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region and Southeast Asia.
