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This poisonous plant seems to be found just about everywhere, but not everyone is confident at recognizing poison ivy.
 | Poison ivy can occur anywhere, from lawns to deep
woods. |
I’ve taught my kids to recognize poison ivy. Here are some tips to help you avoid this pretty plant when you’re out and about on the good, green earth.
- Have someone who knows poison ivy walk with you and point out various occurrences of poison ivy. This is probably the best way to get poison ivy ID down.
- Bring a good plant identification book with you on a walk. Prefer a book with clear photos, rather than drawings.
- “Leaflets three, let it be” works pretty well if you are not familiar with other identification tips. Of course, some harmless plants can also grow “leaflets three.”
- Poison ivy can occur anywhere, from lawns to deep woods.
- Poison ivy can be just a few inches tall with small leaves, or it can grow quite large leaves and be as tall as a shrub. Or anywhere in between.
- The leaves tend to be shiny green in summer. Sometimes the leaves have a reddishness in the green.
- Poison ivy leaves turn red or yellow in the fall.
- Poison ivy produces clumps of small green berries. Do not touch or eat them.
Experts say there is no such thing as acquiring immunity to this plant whose oils can cause a nasty skin rash. It can even wreak havoc in your lungs. So don’t burn poison ivy plants.
While doing forestry work, hiking, camping, and just walking around the yard, I’ve seen plenty of poison ivy and walked through plenty of poison ivy. Although I haven’t developed a rash since I was a kid, I still try to avoid it. And if I do contact it with my skin or on my clothing, I wash my skin and try to wash my clothes as soon as possible. Wash with something that cuts or neutralizes the oil.
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