Poison Ivy

1. Pin Oak
2. Belladonna Lily (Naked Ladies)
3. Poison Ivy

Scientific Name:
Toxicodendron radicans

Common Name:
Poison Ivy

Increasingly important to recognize this one as it has invaded areas of our lawn. We are diligently trying to eradicate it but it is a sneaky plant. This particular bunch is located in an area underneath a pine tree that is growing a little wild.

Things to know and some we learned:

• Most common allergy in the country claiming half the population
• Sensitivity to urushiol can develop at any time
• Solutions or cures are those that annihilate urushiol
• Everyone appears to react slightly different to all the remedies.
• Covered by workers compensation in some states (CA, for example)
• First published records of poison ivy in North America date back to 1600s
• Urushiol Oil in the Poison Ivy plant is extremely potent and is what causes the rash/blisters.
• Plants themselves will not cause rashes as they must be damaged to release the oil.
• Poison Ivy and its relatives are exceedingly fragile plants and break easily.

Tags: 100 Species Challenge