The Matasinos — Plant-Assassins in Disguise

Every community has them. They arrive with leaf blowers, machetes, and uniforms that pretend at care. But instead of gardeners, they are matasinos — plant-assassins.

The word has lived in my family for decades: mata (plant) + the tail of asesinos (killers). A word coined by myself, born out of grief, after bougainvillea of many colors, a great Mandevilla vine, and even protected Weeping Bottlebrush trees were cut down in the name of “maintenance.”

Matasinos are more than a nuisance. They are a symbol of what happens when ignorance wears the mask of authority. In gardens, in forests, in the very habitats wolves need — destruction parades as care.

And I am refereing to wolves as a generic for all animals, insects, fauna in general because even we, so called 'humans' are animals though we indeed want to distance ourselves from 'those'.

Read the full satirical lexicon, field guide, and history on The Hermit Wolf → Matasinos