What does poison ivy look like. How can you identify poison ivy in different seasons. What are the key features of poison ivy leaves. How does poison ivy differ from other similar plants. What should you do if you come into contact with poison ivy.

The Basics of Poison Ivy: Understanding Its Prevalence and Impact

Poison ivy, a plant notorious for causing itchy and blistery rashes, is widespread across North America. It thrives in diverse environments, from forests and wetlands to urban parks and roadsides. This adaptable plant prefers partial sunlight and often flourishes in disturbed areas, making it a common sight along trail edges, fields, and landscaped zones.

There are two primary types of poison ivy: eastern and western. While they have slightly different geographic distributions, their appearance is remarkably similar. Both varieties spread along the ground, but eastern poison ivy also has the ability to climb trees, shrubs, and other structures, attaching itself with hairy rootlets.

The Staggering Statistics

Can you guess how many Americans are affected by poison ivy each year? According to the American Skin Association, the number is astonishingly high – up to 50 million people experience a poison ivy reaction annually. This statistic underscores the importance of being able to identify and avoid this plant.

Decoding the “Leaves of Three” Mantra: Poison Ivy Leaf Characteristics

The phrase “Leaves of three, let it be” is a well-known warning about poison ivy, but it’s crucial to understand that not all plants with three leaves are poisonous. Let’s delve deeper into the specific characteristics of poison ivy leaves:

• Each poison ivy leaf, or more accurately leaflet, is attached to a stalk by a small stem.
• The middle leaflet typically has a longer stem compared to the two side leaflets.
• Leaflets are usually twice as long as they are wide, measuring between 2 to 5 inches in length.
• Leaf edges can be smooth, lobed, or toothed.
• Leaflets may or may not be symmetrical.
• The color and texture of leaves can vary – they can be red or green, shiny or dull.

Seasonal Changes in Poison Ivy Appearance

Do you know how poison ivy changes throughout the year? In spring, new leaves often appear reddish. During summer, they turn green, and in fall, they can display vibrant yellow or orange hues. This color variation can make identification challenging for the untrained eye.

Beyond the Leaves: Other Identifying Features of Poison Ivy

While leaves are the most recognizable part of poison ivy, other features can aid in its identification:

• Flowers: Poison ivy may produce small, greenish-white flowers in dense clusters.
• Berries: The plant can bear greenish-white berries, which are particularly noticeable in spring and summer.
• Growth patterns: Poison ivy can grow as a vine or a shrub, depending on its environment.

The Culprit Behind the Rash: Understanding Urushiol

What causes the infamous poison ivy rash? The answer lies in a substance called urushiol, an oily resin found in all parts of the poison ivy plant. Most people are allergic to this compound, which is why contact with poison ivy often results in an uncomfortable skin reaction.

Urushiol’s Persistence

How long can urushiol remain active? Surprisingly, this oil can stay potent for a long time. It can stick to skin, clothing, fur, gardening tools, and other surfaces. This persistence is why it’s crucial to wash any potentially contaminated items thoroughly after exposure to poison ivy.

Immediate Actions: What to Do If You Come into Contact with Poison Ivy

If you suspect you’ve touched poison ivy, quick action is essential. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Wash the affected area immediately with soap and water or a commercial poison ivy wash.
2. Clean all clothing, footwear, and equipment that may have come into contact with the plant.
3. If you have pets that might have brushed against poison ivy, bathe them to remove any urushiol from their fur.

Remember, the key to preventing a rash is to remove the urushiol before your body initiates an allergic response.

Distinguishing Poison Ivy from Its Toxic Cousins: Poison Oak and Poison Sumac

Poison ivy isn’t the only plant that can cause an itchy, uncomfortable rash. Poison oak and poison sumac are closely related plants that also contain urushiol. How can you tell these plants apart?

Poison Oak Identification

Poison oak shares some similarities with poison ivy but has distinct features:

• Leaves typically grow in clusters of three, but some varieties may have five or seven leaflets.
• The leaves have a lobed, wavy appearance, reminiscent of oak tree leaves.
• Unlike poison ivy, poison oak leaves have rounded tips rather than pointed ones.
• The color changes seasonally, from bright green in spring to yellow-orange in fall.

Poison Sumac Identification

Poison sumac has a different appearance compared to its ivy and oak relatives:

• It grows as a woody shrub or small tree, rather than a vine.
• Leaves consist of 7-13 leaflets arranged in pairs with a single leaflet at the end.
• Leaflets are oval-shaped with smooth edges and pointed tips.
• The plant may have hanging clusters of green berries that turn white as they ripen.

The Geographic Distribution of Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

Where are you most likely to encounter these plants? The distribution of poison ivy, oak, and sumac varies across North America:

• Poison Ivy: Found throughout the continental United States and much of Canada, except in some desert areas of the southwest.
• Poison Oak: Primarily grows in the western United States, particularly along the Pacific coast, but also in southeastern states.
• Poison Sumac: Prefers wet, swampy areas and is most common in the eastern United States, particularly in the Southeast.

It’s worth noting that Hawaii and Alaska are free from all three of these plants.

Prevention and Protection: Strategies for Avoiding Poison Ivy Exposure

How can you protect yourself from poison ivy and its relatives? Here are some effective strategies:

1. Learn to identify these plants in all seasons.
2. Wear protective clothing when hiking or working in areas where these plants might grow.
3. Use barrier creams or lotions designed to block urushiol if you’re likely to be exposed.
4. Keep pets from running through wooded areas where they might brush against poison ivy.
5. Remove poison ivy from your property, but only with proper protection and disposal methods.

The Importance of Education

Why is it crucial to educate yourself and others about poison ivy? Knowledge is your best defense against these plants. By learning to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac, you can avoid contact and prevent painful rashes. Share this information with family and friends, especially children who might be exploring outdoors.

Myths and Misconceptions About Poison Ivy

There are many myths surrounding poison ivy. Let’s debunk some common misconceptions:

• Myth: You can become immune to poison ivy.
• Fact: While sensitivity can change over time, no one is truly immune.
• Myth: Poison ivy rash is contagious.
• Fact: The rash itself isn’t contagious, but the oil can spread if not washed off.
• Myth: You can catch poison ivy from someone else’s rash.
• Fact: You can only get a rash from direct contact with the plant or its oil.
• Myth: Dead poison ivy plants are harmless.
• Fact: Urushiol can remain active on dead plants for several years.

Treatment Options for Poison Ivy Rash

Despite best efforts, exposure to poison ivy can sometimes occur. What should you do if you develop a rash?

1. Wash the affected area thoroughly to remove any remaining urushiol.
2. Apply cool compresses to soothe the skin and reduce itching.
3. Use over-the-counter anti-itch creams or oral antihistamines for relief.
4. For severe reactions, consult a healthcare provider who may prescribe stronger treatments.

Natural Remedies

Are there any natural remedies for poison ivy rash? Some people find relief with:

• Calamine lotion
• Baking soda paste
• Oatmeal baths
• Aloe vera gel

However, it’s important to note that these remedies may provide temporary relief but don’t cure the rash itself.

The Ecological Role of Poison Ivy: Not All Bad News

While poison ivy is often viewed negatively due to its effects on humans, it does play important ecological roles. Consider these facts:

• Poison ivy berries are an important food source for many bird species.
• The plant’s extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion.
• Poison ivy provides cover and habitat for small animals and insects.

This ecological importance underscores the need for responsible management rather than complete eradication of poison ivy in natural areas.

Climate Change and Poison Ivy: A Growing Concern

How might climate change affect poison ivy? Recent studies suggest that rising temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels could lead to more robust and more irritating poison ivy plants. This potential change highlights the need for ongoing research and adaptation strategies.

Potential Impacts

• Larger, more vigorous poison ivy plants
• Increased urushiol production, leading to more severe reactions
• Expanded geographic range of poison ivy
• Longer growing seasons, increasing the likelihood of human-plant contact

Poison Ivy in Popular Culture and History

Poison ivy has left its mark not only on skin but also in literature, art, and popular culture. How has this plant influenced our cultural landscape?

• Native American tribes used poison ivy for medicinal purposes, demonstrating a deep understanding of the plant’s properties.
• The plant features in numerous folktales and cautionary stories passed down through generations.
• Poison ivy has inspired songs, such as “Poison Ivy” by The Coasters in 1959.
• The character Poison Ivy in DC Comics, while not directly related to the plant, draws inspiration from its notorious reputation.

These cultural references highlight the significant impact poison ivy has had on human experience and imagination throughout history.

Technological Advancements in Poison Ivy Identification and Management

How is technology helping us deal with poison ivy? Recent advancements are making identification and management easier:

• Smartphone apps using image recognition to help identify poison ivy and related plants
• Drones for mapping large areas to locate poison ivy infestations
• Advanced protective gear for safe removal of poison ivy
• Development of more effective barrier creams and treatments

These technological tools are enhancing our ability to coexist with poison ivy while minimizing its negative impacts on human health and activities.

Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Poison Ivy Management

What are the legal considerations surrounding poison ivy? While there are no federal laws specifically addressing poison ivy, various regulations can apply to its management:

• Local ordinances may require property owners to control poison ivy, especially in urban or suburban areas.
• Use of herbicides for poison ivy control must comply with federal and state pesticide regulations.
• Employers have a duty to protect workers from known hazards, including poison ivy exposure in certain occupations.
• Public land managers must balance poison ivy control with environmental preservation goals.

Understanding these legal aspects is crucial for anyone involved in poison ivy management or working in areas where the plant is common.

Poison Ivy Research: Current Studies and Future Directions

What’s new in poison ivy research? Scientists continue to study this plant from various angles:

• Investigations into the genetic factors that influence individual susceptibility to urushiol
• Research on more effective treatments for poison ivy rashes
• Studies on the ecological interactions between poison ivy and other species
• Exploration of potential medical applications for urushiol and related compounds

This ongoing research may lead to improved prevention strategies, treatments, and management approaches for poison ivy in the future.

Potential Breakthroughs

What breakthroughs might we see in poison ivy research? Some promising areas include:

• Development of a vaccine to prevent poison ivy reactions
• Creation of genetically modified plants that don’t produce urushiol
• Discovery of new ecological benefits of poison ivy that could change management strategies

These potential advancements could significantly alter our relationship with this notorious plant.

Global Perspectives: Poison Ivy and Its Relatives Worldwide

While poison ivy is primarily a North American concern, similar plants exist around the world. How do other cultures deal with these plants?

• In Asia, the lacquer tree (related to poison ivy) is used to create traditional lacquerware, with artisans developing resistance over time.
• Australia’s Gympie Gympie tree, while unrelated to poison ivy, causes similar painful skin reactions and has influenced local culture and practices.
• European plants like giant hogweed pose similar risks to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, leading to public education campaigns.

These global perspectives highlight the universal challenge of coexisting with potentially harmful plants and the diverse strategies humans have developed to manage this relationship.

What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?

Poison ivy, the notorious cause of itchy, blistery rashes, grows throughout the continental United States and much of Canada. (1)

The plant can be found in forests and wetlands, on beaches, and along streams, as well as in urban settings such as parks, yards, and along roads. Poison ivy prefers partial sunlight, so it often grows where the land has been disturbed, such as along the edges of trails, fields, or landscaping.

There are two types of poison ivy — eastern and western — which have somewhat different geographic ranges but which look very similar and sometimes interbreed where their ranges overlap. (2)

Both types of poison ivy spread along the ground, and eastern poison ivy also climbs trees, shrubs, walls, fences, and other structures, clinging to its host with hairy rootlets and sometimes sending out horizontal branches.

Leaves of Three …

Most people know the phrase “Leaves of three, let it be,” but many plants have leaves that grow in clusters of three, so it helps to know a bit more about the physical appearance of poison ivy.

Each poison ivy leaf (or, more accurately, leaflet) has a small leaf stem at its base, attaching it to a stalk or small branch that connects to the main poison ivy vine. The leaflet in the middle of the threesome usually has a longer leaf stem than the two side leaflets.

Poison ivy leaflets are about twice as long as they are wide. They are typically two to five inches long but may reach six or more inches if conditions are right.

Poison ivy leaves may be smooth-edged or may have lobes or teeth. The two sides of the leaf may or may not be symmetrical.

Leaves may be red or green, shiny or dull. The plants may have flower buds, flowers, or berries in dense clusters close to the vine.

… Let It Be

According to the American Skin Association, as many as 50 million Americans have a poison ivy reaction each year. (3)

The cause of poison ivy reactions is urushiol, an oily resin that’s found in the leaves, stems, and roots of the poison ivy plant; most people are allergic to it.

Urushiol sticks to skin, clothing, fur, gardening tools, and other surfaces when it comes into contact with them.

Washing the oil off your skin immediately after contact may prevent a rash from developing. Soap and water is effective, as are commercial poison ivy washes, but the key in either case is to wash the oil off quickly, before the allergic reaction begins.

Following contact — or even potential contact — with poison ivy, you should also wash your clothing and footwear and any gear or equipment that could have touched the poison ivy plant. It’s also important to wash pets who may have gotten urushiol on their fur so they don’t pass it on to you.

Recognizing Poison Ivy, Oak, & Sumac

A stroll in the woods is nearly always an enjoyable endeavor; what’s not so enjoyable is discovering a red, itchy rash the next day. Each year, millions of Americans come in contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. While there are numerous other poisonous plants, these three are grouped together because they share a common irritant: an oily resin/sap called urushiol. This resin is potent — it only takes 1 nanogram to cause a reaction. And unfortunately, it coats all parts of these plants.

While some of the characteristics we describe below aren’t necessarily unique to these plants, we’ll get you enough information to avoid these poisonous foes and confidently walk your favorite trails (or create your own!).

Identifying Poison Ivy

The old saying is true: “Leaves of three, let them be!” While there are other plants which have leaf clusters in threes, both poison ivy and poison oak share this trait, making it best to avoid plants with this feature altogether. What you’ll most likely encounter with poison ivy is a stem with a larger leaf at the end, and two smaller leaves shooting off the sides. The leaves can be notched or smooth on the edges, and they have pointed tips. The plant is reddish in the spring, green in summer, and yellow/orange in the fall. It’s not uncommon to see clusters of greenish-white berries on poison ivy through the spring and summer, as well as green/yellow flowers.

Poison ivy can take the form of a vine or a shrub. The plant’s appearance varies widely based on the region and specific environment where it grows, which is everywhere in the US with the exceptions of Hawaii, Alaska, and parts of the southwest deserts.

Identifying Poison Oak

Like poison ivy, this plant most often grows leaves in clusters of three, although some varieties display five or seven per cluster. The defining feature is that the leaves have a lobed, wavy appearance (also described as scalloped), similar to oak tree leaves, but more subdued. Another characteristic that sets it apart from poison ivy is that the tips of the leaves are rounded rather than pointed. Its leaves are bright green in spring, turn yellow-green or pink in summer, and finally turn yellow into dark brown in the fall.

Poison oak is generally a shrub, averaging about 3 feet tall, but shoots of it can also grow as a vine. Not commonly found in the middle part of the U.S., poison oak is primarily situated on the West coast, and the East coast/Southeast.

Identifying Poison Sumac

Poison sumac stems (which are generally red — another of the defining features) have 7-13 leaves, in pairs, with a lone leaf at the end. Leaves are oval, elongated, and smooth-edged, usually 2-4 inches long. They are bright orange in spring, dark green in summer, and red-orange in fall.

Poison sumac thrives in watery, swampy environs, present mostly in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S., where high humidity is common. It grows as a tree or tall shrub, 5-20 feet tall.

Allergic Reactions to Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac

An allergic reaction to poison ivy, oak, or sumac can occur when your skin makes direct contact with the plant, when you touch something that has been in contact with the plant, and even when the plant is burned, as particles of urushiol can make their way into your eyes, nose, and throat. Urushiol is very sticky and tenacious, so it easily adheres to firewood, dog fur, and gardening tools, and then transfers itself to your skin once you lift, pet, and pick up these things. Because urushiol is present in the plants’ roots, stems, and leaves, it remains potentially poisonous even in the wintertime.

Anyone can get an allergic reaction if exposed to urushiol in a large enough dose. But some folks are more sensitive than others. About 85% of the population is fairly to extremely susceptible to getting an allergic reaction, while 15% of lucky folks are resistant to reaction. One’s sensitivity/resistance is thought to be largely genetic in origin, so if your parents have had severe reactions to poisonous plants, take extra care to avoid contact yourself.

Sometimes you only get a rash after being exposed to the plant numerous times. So don’t automatically assume that you’re resistant because you touched poison ivy/oak/sumac once, and didn’t get a rash.

On the other hand, sensitivity to these poisonous plants can lessen over time. So if you had a bad reaction as a child, you may have developed more resistance over the years.

How to Treat a Rash From Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac

If you know you’ve touched one of these poisonous plants, you have about 10 minutes before the sap penetrates the lower layers of your skin and binds to its cells, at which point an allergic reaction will set in. So you can head off this reaction by immediately rinsing the exposed area with running water. Use a mild detergent soap if you have it; fatty soaps can spread the urushiol oil, creating a worse reaction. Rinsing with rubbing alcohol is also effective. If wipes are all you have to clean the area, that’s better than nothing.

If you don’t wash off the resin in time, and you’re sensitive to ivy/oak/sumac, then a rash will develop. Rashes from all three of these plants appear in the same form and are treated in the same way since the irritating agent in all of them is urushiol. If you’ve been outdoors and have the following symptoms appear, you may have a rash from one of these plants:

• patches of swollen redness
• outbreak of blisters
• intense itching

These are the primary symptoms, and they generally appear within 12-72 hours of contact. Luckily, if the rash isn’t severe, it can be treated at home without having to see a dermatologist.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following treatment plan:

• Immediately rinse your skin with lukewarm, soapy water. Urushiol is an oil, so if not washed off, it can continue to spread. (Note: there are special washes out there that claim to remove urushiol more effectively and to lesson the severity of a rash once a reaction has set in; Zanfel is a popular one, but Mean Green Scrub uses the same ingredients/composition but costs way less per ounce.)
• Wash your clothing and anything else the oil may have touched, including tools, pets, car seats, etc.
• Do not scratch; doing so can open the skin and possibly cause an infection.
• Leave blisters alone; do not peel overlying skin, as it protects the wound underneath from infection.
• Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream/lotion.
• Apply a cool washcloth to skin to ease burning and itching.

The rash should heal in about 1-2 weeks. Though it may look gross, it’s not contagious. If the rash is particularly large or painful, or doesn’t heal in that timeframe, it’s best to see a dermatologist who may prescribe a round of oral steroids or other treatments.

Above all, wearing long clothing when you go out is recommended — especially pants to guard against brushing these plants while wandering around. Be sure to wash these clothes right when you get home.

You’re now equipped to head out to the woods and avoid these itchy fiends!

Recognizing Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac (and How to Treat if you Don’t)

Recognizing poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac is essential if you want to avoid the unpleasant burning and itchy rash that accompany these common plants. Luckily, they aren’t hard to identify.

Recognizing Poison Ivy

Poison ivy can grow as both a vine and a shrub. Its leaves are pointed at the tip and grow in groups of three. In spring, the leaves are green, while in fall they turn reddish-orange. The plant also has small clusters of white berries, which it drops to reseed itself and grow larger. These berries can be seen starting in spring all the way through to the end of winter.

The problem with poison ivy is that it’s very adaptable and grows in various ways, making it difficult to identify. That’s why you should look for leaves that grow in clusters of three, which is the most defining characteristic of this plant.

Though most people think of it as a vine that grows upwards, clinging to a variety of surfaces, mainly because it does have “ivy” in the name, the fact is that poison ivy can also grow as a bush or even a single plant.

So, when attempting to identify poison ivy, make sure to look for three leaves with pointy tips that are loosely connected on each stem. The middle leaf tends to have a small stem, while the two side leaves grow off the vine. When looking from above, the leaves are a dark, waxy green, while from below they appear a light, fuzzy green. The waxiness makes the leaves appear shiny, but this isn’t always an indicator as they can seem dull after rain.

Most importantly, don’t touch poison ivy when trying to identify it. If in doubt, it’s best to steer clear because getting just a little of the plant’s oil on you can cause a very unpleasant rash.

Treating Poison Ivy

Ideally, you were successful in recognizing poison ivy and managed to avoid it, but this is not always possible. So, if you did come in contact with poison ivy, your best option is to use a cold compress on the affected area. Calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines can also be used to stop the itching.

If the rash is on your face, close to your eyes, or covers a significant area of your body, visit one of our Urgent Care centers in the Greater Augusta County area. Some individuals will have a more severe allergic reaction, in which case you may need emergency care immediately.

Recognizing Poison Oak

Like poison ivy, poison oak can grow as a shrub or a climbing vine, and its leaves also grow in groups of three off the stem. Unlike poison ivy, though, the edges of the leaves have a wavy appearance and, as the name indicates, they look somewhat like oak leaves.

The tops of the leaves are usually glossy green, but they can be yellow, red or brown depending on the season and how healthy the plant is. The underside of the leaves appear more velvety and feature a lighter green color.

The stems have a slightly greyish tinge to them, and can have what looks like hair or tiny thorns. In spring, poison oak has small green-yellow flowers, while during summer and fall the plant will have small light-green berries.

Treating Poison Oak

To relieve the itching, apply calamine lotion to the affected areas. Topical steroids or systemic steroids and antihistamines might also help. You can also take an oatmeal bath, which has been known to significantly relieve itching.

Simply put two cups of oatmeal in a stocking and tie it to the tap, positioning it so the water runs through the oatmeal. Soak in the bath for a minimum of thirty minutes. An alternative to oatmeal is baking soda.

Recognizing Poison Sumac

Recognizing poison sumac is essential to avoiding a really painful allergic reaction that manifests as a red, itchy rash or blisters. Poison sumac grows as a shrub or a tree that can be as tall as 30 feet or even taller in some cases.

The tree tends to seem pretty barren because the leaves grow in a relatively open pattern and not as dense foliage.

A large tree will generally have long and thin branches that sag downwards. The hanging branches increase your chances of brushing against it walking by.

However, before poison sumac becomes a tree, it grows as a small plant with leaves that point up. They have small branches with red stems and double rows of between six and twelve leaves on each stem, with an extra leaf at the tip of the stem.

The leaves are oval or oblong and taper to a point at the end. The sides of the leaves might be wavy or smooth but aren’t jagged. The leaves change color with the seasons, like poison oak and poison ivy. During spring and summer, poison sumac may have pale green or yellow flowers which grow in clusters along separate green stems. In the summer, the plant might replace its flowers with small yellow or green berries, which turn white or grey during fall and winter.

Please note that even fallen leaves can still be poisonous. And never use poison sumac for a fire, because inhaling the smoke can be extremely dangerous.

Treating Poison Sumac

Treating poison sumac is just like treating poison ivy or poison oak. All you can really do is alleviate the itching by using calamine lotion and applying cold compresses to the area. Antihistamines can also help reduce inflammation.

In all cases, you should wash anything that came into contact with the plant to ensure you remove the toxic oil that transferred from the plant. This includes your skin and any gear or clothing as you don’t want to be re-exposed.

If you have a severe reaction, you should call a doctor right away.

At Augusta Health, we provide the option of Urgent Care for immediate but serious medical need. If you come into contact with any of these poison plants, Augusta Health is here to provide the care you need!

Poison ivy lookalikes | Garden Gate

By:

Garden Gate staff

It can be hard to tell if the plant you’re looking at is poison ivy or a lookalike. Here’s our guide to identifying and getting rid of poison ivy safely.

How to identify poison ivy

It’s just about every gardener’s least favorite weed! Not only does poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) grow and spread rapidly, but it gives many people an itchy, sometimes painful, rash. It can be important to know how to spot this unpleasant plant. Poison ivy prefers moist, rich soil in full sun to part shade. You can find it along roadsides, in wooded, moist or wet areas. Check out some of its identifiable characteristics:

• This woody weed can have an upright form up to 7 ft. tall or appear as a climbing vine, hanging on to trees or fences with dark aerial roots.
• Poison ivy leaves vary in size and shape but there are always three.
• The three leaflets, which are sometimes shiny, have a reddish cast and stem.
• Leaves tend to be pointed and may have a toothed or smooth edge.
• The illustration above shows how the leaves alternate along the stem.
• Insignificant green-white flowers appear in late spring, followed by fruit that ripens about the same time the leaves turn red in fall.

How to control and remove poison ivy

To pull or cut back the plant, be careful to keep urushiol, the sticky oil that is present in all parts of the plant, off your skin. Wear long pants, long sleeves and double gloves.

If you don’t want to handle it, spray the plant with a systemic herbicide (such as one containing glyphosate), but it’ll take time and several applications to eradicate it. You can also dab or spray the cut ends of the vine with a systemic brush killer (a herbicide that contains triclopyr is best.)

Keep an eye on any areas where you’ve removed poison ivy. There will be a few suckers or seedlings popping up here and there for a couple of years. Get them while they’re small, and you won’t have a big patch to clean up again. Oh, and you could buy a goat. They like to eat poison ivy and have no reaction to it!

Take extra precautions when dealing with poison ivy

When done working, change clothes immediately. Urushiol can remain on clothing and tools for years, but it’s water-soluble, so washing will remove it. Wash those clothes in a separate load. Even if you’re careful, it’s a good idea to wash your hands and arms with Tecnu skin cleanser when you’re done working. If you use it within an hour or two of being exposed, you’ll usually avoid getting a rash.

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Poison ivy lookalikes

Another sneaky thing about poison ivy: It has some lookalikes. You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Leaves of three, let it be.” That’s good advice — poison ivy doesn’t really stand out in a crowd, but it always has three leaflets on each leaf.

Poison ivy lookalike: Box elder

Seedlings and young plants of box elder tree (Acer negundo) are often mistaken for poison ivy and they tend to grow in the same places you’ll find poison ivy — along the fence, behind the garage, and other places where you may not do a lot of cultivating. The differences? Box elder stems aren’t red and often have a grayish “bloom” on them. And box elder leaf stems are directly across from each other on the main stem, rather than alternating, as poison ivy leaves are.

Poison ivy lookalike: Boston ivy

Another lookalike is Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), especially small, new growth. Unfortunately, it has a red stem, just like poison ivy, so it can be hard to tell the two apart. Usually the leaf edges are a little more jagged, and the leaves are slightly smaller. But when in doubt, it’s best to be careful!

Boston ivy’s juvenile foliage has three leaflets. As you look at the whole plant, you’ll see woody stems and mature leaves that are not divided.

Poison ivy lookalike: Virginia creeper

You might find a Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) leaf with just three leaflets. But look at the rest of the vine and you’ll notice that most have five.

How to Identify Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

What Does Poison Oak Look Like? Where Does Poison Ivy Grow?

I’m doubtful that I’ve ever actually seen Poison Ivy or Poison Oak in person before, but I’m rather confident that it has seen me. I certainly succumbed to its wrath years ago when I was clearing out some overgrown weeds back when I worked for a landscaper. Not too long after the job was done, I developed a red, itchy rash that typically follows exposure. It was an unfortunate experience that I wouldn’t wish to have again anytime soon. The substance that causes the rash is called urushiol, and can be found in both Poison Oak and Poison Ivy.

How and Where Do They Grow?

Where and what conditions are best for either Poison Ivy or Poison Oak are the first differences between the two plants. Poison Oak has two basic types—one that can be found in the Eastern US and one that can be found in the Western US. Typically it grows best in semi-shaded wooded areas, although it can grow in direct sunlight. Poison Ivy, on the other hand, can be found throughout much of North America and even into the mountainous areas of Mexico. So where does Poison Ivy grow? Well, it can grow just about anywhere.

What Does Poison Oak Look Like?

Poison Oak can grow as a vine or as a small shrub. It has three glossy leaves and each leaf is between 1.5 to 4 inches long. The edges of the leaf can be toothed or lobed and roughly resemble the leaves of an oak tree. When first opening in spring, the leaves have a bronze color that turns green or greenish-red in summer. Their fall color is usually red or pink. Poison Oak has white flowers in the spring that develop into berries that are usually tan in color. An interesting fact about Poison Oak is that it can take on the appearance of the plants that grows next to it. Certainly a sneaky plant!

What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?

Poison Ivy also has three leaves as well which are green when they first open. It generally grows as a vine across shrubs and up trees. The leaves can be as small as your thumb or as large as your hand, and are usually wide at the base. Leaves can vary from matte to glossy on the same plant and are typically notched. One characteristic that is streamlined through all Poison Ivy plants is that the middle leaf in each grouping has a longer stem or petiole than the other two. They also produce berries that are green in color.

Leaves of Three, Leave It Be

As you can see, identifying these two plants can be a challenge. Since they can grow in a variety of places, I guess the old adage of “leaves of three, leave it be” is the best way to avoid this plant. There are many websites that are devoted to dealing with the rashes and allergic reactions that many people seem to have from these dastardly plants. Some people seem to be immune to the effects of either Poison Oak or Poison Ivy, but that immunity can change.

The best advice is to steer clear of these plants. If you think you have Poison Oak or Poison Ivy growing in your landscape or up your trees, contact a professional company that is trained to deal with these plants.

Want to read other useful tips on keeping your yard safe and healthy? Check out our resources on lawn disease solutions, tree and shrub care, and more.

Poison Ivy | GPNC

All photos by Jim Mason

Common Name: Poison Ivy

Scientific Name: Toxicodendron radicans

Favorite Habitat: Woodland edge

When exploring the woods and fields of the Great Plains, a curious naturalist will usually be on the lookout for dangerous animals such as skunks or venomous snakes, but might not give any thought to the possibility of encountering a dangerous plant. Of course, plants cannot “attack” a person, but some plants can cause harm if they are touched. One plant that should definitely be avoided is Poison Ivy, and that can be a real challenge because it grows in different forms, does not have a consistent leaf shape and there are some plants in the same habitat that look like it!

Poison Ivy is a woody vine or sub-shrub that has a very wide distribution. It may be found coast to coast from southern Canada to Mexico. It is also known from the West Indies and China. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae, or Cashew, family. Most members of this plant family have a tropical or sub-tropical distribution. In North America, it is represented by the Sumacs (Rhus sp.), Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac and the Florida Poison Tree (Metopium toxiferum).

Poison Ivy is a nuisance because it contains a chemical that can cause the skin of persons sensitive to it to develop a red, itchy rash and even erupt in blisters. Urushiol is the active ingredient in Poison Ivy that causes the rash and irritation. It is present in all parts of the plant, but particularly in the sap. People vary in their sensitivity to urushiol. Some have no problem with it and others experience severe allergic reactions. This can also vary over the life of a person. You might be unaffected as a child and become sensitized with repeated exposures. So even if you are not allergic now, it is a good idea to learn how to recognize Poison Ivy in case your body changes as you age.

The clinical name for the skin irritation caused by Poison Ivy is Rhus Dermatitis. It usually starts as itching and small blisters within a few hours after exposure. Depending on how strong the exposure was and/or how sensitive the person is, that may be all there is to it. However, it may develop into an inflamed, swollen rash with open, weeping sores that persists for up to two weeks. Severe cases may require a visit to the doctor. Urushiol is absorbed into the skin within three minutes of exposure. If it is washed off quickly with dishwashing soap and water, the consequences will be less, but you are seldom close to a lavatory when you get exposed, so learning to recognize and avoid it is the best strategy. An important fact to remember is that the urushiol can travel on your clothes or the fur of your pets, so remember to wash them too if you suspect they were in contact with Poison Ivy.

Poison Ivy grows in a number of different ways:

• As a ground cover – It can creep across the ground surface and make a knee-high thicket of foliage.  This is what is shown in the picture at the top of the page.
• As a skinny free-standing “shrub” – It can grow in the open with one stem and only a few side branches.  It may be up to ten feet tall in this form, and this is the form that people call Poison Oak.  (According to the experts, Poison Oak is a distinct species that doesn’t occur on the prairie [see below], but for all practical purposes they look the same and BOTH should avoided).
• As a vine – Using thin, brown, aerial roots, it can attach itself to the side of a tree or other object and reach high into the sky.  This is the form where it reaches it greatest size.  It is not uncommon to find vines as thick as your arm growing up the side of large trees.

Poison Ivy (DO NOT TOUCH) Virginia Creeper (OK to touch)

Poison Ivy is often confused with another woody vine, Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Notice how much bigger and lighter colored the tendrils of Virginia Creeper are compared to the aerial roots of Poison Ivy.

Both the vines shown above are about as big around as your thumb, and were growing on the same tree.

Poison Ivy Berries

The fruits of Poison Ivy are grapelike clusters of tiny, white, pumpkin-shaped seeds with an off-white or pale yellow rind. The photo below was taken in mid-November and shows that the rind dries out and flakes off eventually. The fruits also contain urushiol, but that does not stop the birds from eating them! Flickers and other woodpeckers are fond of them, along with sapsuckers, thrushes, pheasants and quail. The rind provides food to the birds while the seeds usually pass on through their gut unharmed and, in this way, birds are the agent for dispersal of Poison Ivy seeds.

The shape, color and texture of the leaflets is highly variable. These shown on the right have fairly smooth margins, but others may have rounded teeth or lobes.

Poison Ivy has variable leaves

Poison Ivy has compound leaves. That is, each leaf is made up of distinct parts, called leaflets. In this case there is one leaflet at the end of the leaf stalk (or petiole) and two leaflets opposite each other below the first. This is called a trifoliate pattern. The two lower leaflets have very short stalks and are often shaped like mittens, with a lobe on one side.
The leaves are not attached to the twigs directly opposite another leaf. This pattern of leaf arrangement is called alternate.

Several Other Plants Look Like Poison Ivy

All the following woody plants have trifoliate leaves and may be found in the Great Plains:

• Aromatic Sumac (Rhus aromatica) Also known as Skunkbush, Aromatic Sumac forms dense thickets up to 7 feet tall.  It is native to the eastern half of the U. S. and is often used for landscaping purposes and stabilizing eroding slopes.  In the wild, it will be found on rocky outcroppings and fence rows.  Its berries are red and densely hairy and form in dense clusters.   While in the same family as Poison Ivy, it does not contain urushiol.
• Box Elder (Acer negundo) A member of the Maple family, Box Elder has leaves that strongly resemble Poison Ivy in spring, but later in the year has leaves with 5 – 7 leaflets.  Also, its leaves are directly opposite each other on the twigs, while those of Poison Ivy are alternate.  It becomes a medium sized tree and has the typical paired, winged seeds that are common to Maples.  It does not contain urushiol.
• Eastern Poison Oak (Toxicodendron toxicarium)   The range of Eastern Poison Oak includes eastern Oklahoma and the adjacent counties in southeast Kansas.  It is otherwise absent from the Great Plains.  Its leaflets are smaller and have more lobes than those of Poison Ivy and it always grows in a shrubby form.  Its fruits are similar to those of Poison Ivy, but usually hairier and larger.  It does contain urushiol and should be avoided.

Poison Ivy leaves turn a vivid red color in the fall. It is usually one of the first plants to change. This touch of beauty on the landscape is, perhaps, a small repayment for all the misery it causes!

Everything you need to know about poison ivy | News

How does poison ivy spread?

Most of the time when people come into contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac, they simply brush up against the plant, the urushiol gets on their skin, and a few days later they notice themselves scratching a rash; unfortunately, this isn’t the only way urushiol spreads from person to person.

Urushiol can transfer from the plant to something that a person then touches. For example, urushiol is oftentimes transferred from pets: Your dog walks through poison ivy, gets urushiol on its fur, you pet the dog, you get poison ivy. Picking up somebody else’s gardening gloves who has been working in poison ivy can get you a rash. Woe to the poor gentleman who walks through poison ivy, gets urushiol all over his shoelaces and stops to tie his shoes—and then decides to go to the bathroom. As soon as urushiol touches the skin, it begins to penetrate and is completely bound within eight hours. If it’s been less than eight hours, urushiol can be alleviated with soap and water, but if it’s been more than that (or sooner if it’s particularly thin skin), your fate is likely sealed—washing with soap and water is very unlikely to help after a few hours.

The amazing thing about urushiol is that it can remain allergenic on clothing for up to 10 years! That’s right—you can get urushiol on your jeans, put them in a drawer and pull them out years later and still get a blistering rash from the leftover urushiol. For outdoor-lovers, it’s important to always remember to wash your equipment after camping or backpacking trips; it’s easy to come in contact with poison ivy and get oil all over sleeping bags, tents, packs, boots and clothing. Thoroughly washing your gear year-over-year will help make sure residual urushiol doesn’t affect your next outdoor excursion.

On top of being capable of lasting the better part of a decade, urushiol is also extremely heat tolerant. Fire doesn’t break it down, it simply releases the toxins into the air; so, and this is very important, NEVER, EVER burn poison ivy. Aerosolizing the compound and breathing it in shifts symptoms from miserable rash into several
nights in a hospital.

How long does poison ivy last?

A particularly cruel aspect of poison ivy is that the rash can take anywhere from 24 hours to seven days to develop. This leads to the misconception that the rash “spreads.” The timing with which poison ivy symptoms erupt depends on three things:

• The amount of urushiol involved
• The thickness of the skin involved
• The sensitivity of the person exposed

Let’s say somebody gets into a big patch of poison ivy and doesn’t know it. A great deal of the urushiol gets on the thinner skin of the wrists and undersides of the forearms. A little bit less gets on the thicker skin over the knee caps. The rash will start to develop first on the wrists and undersides of the forearms and a few days later may erupt on the knees.

This gives the impression that the rash is spreading when in reality, it’s not spreading, it just hasn’t fully erupted. This also has given way to the misconception that a weeping poison ivy rash is contagious. It is not. Fluid from poison ivy blisters does not contain urushiol and cannot cause a rash. The rash doesn’t spread; it just erupts at different times based on the amount of urushiol, the thickness of the skin, and where it spreads when you rub or scratch your skin. It is possible, however, that urushiol could still be present on another piece of clothing, causing more rash to pop up . In either case, the takeaway is that one exposure to urushiol causes one rash, which may develop over the body at different rates.

The other factor that affects rash timing is the sensitivity of the person involved. Not everybody has a poison ivy sensitivity, but make no mistake, you can absolutely develop one at any time. Many people have made the claim that they are immune to poison ivy only to find out later, even at ages 50 and 60, that they have developed a horrible reaction to it. You may not be allergic to it now, but understand that can change over time.

What does poison ivy look like? Obey the “Hands-Off” rule!

The best way to avoid poison ivy is to try and avoid the plant altogether. The basic rule for both poison ivy and poison oak, is “Leaves of Three, Leave Them Be.” A three-leaved plant isn’t anything you want to mess with. The leaves can occasionally take on a shiny appearance. Poison ivy turns a very red, vibrant color in the fall and
is rather pretty. It also is very important to note that poison ivy can be a plant, a shrub or an ivy-like vine, so don’t be fooled by its various forms.

Another way to identify a poison ivy plant is by observing what sort of light is in the area. Poison ivy likes semi-shade. This isn’t absolute, but in full sun and in the deep woods, you can relax a bit; where you really need to be paying attention is on the edge of the forest and, particularly, along the edges of bike paths. That little break in the trees provides just enough sun for poison ivy to thrive.

Identifying Poison Ivy With These Photos 💡 Gardening | RU.HomeInteriorz.com

Poison Ivy

Pre-Crisis

Lillian Rose is a successful botanist seduced by Professor Marc LeGrande. Together they steal a vase of rare herbs, after which the professor tries to get rid of the girl by poisoning her with poison.The herbs from the vase give the girl super strength. This is how the villainous Poison Ivy is born.

Post-Crisis

Pamela Iceley grew up in a wealthy family, but emotionally distant from her parents. Her biology teacher, Jason Woodrue, is experimenting with her by injecting toxins into her body that nearly dies and is prevented from having children. She spends six months in the hospital, then … After learning that the experiment opened up many new possibilities for her, such as the creation of pheromones by the power of thought and the poisonous touch, she goes crazy, travels to Gotham City and threatens to poison the city.

Batman stops her and sends her to Arkham Asylum. Ivy’s cellmate becomes Soroka, a contentious criminal boss (perhaps later the girls will have more intimate relationships).

Pamela was a member of such third-rate supervillain teams as the Injustice Gang, the Long Halloween Two-Face Team, and the Suicide Squad. She also maintained a global plant balance with Woodrue, who became the super villain Floro when Swamp Thing, her opponent (Alec Holland was also a student of Jason Woodrue), got into trouble.
Poison Ivy later reunites with Woodrue to scam him to sell massive amounts of marijuana in town, but escapes with the money and sets Batman on Woodruck.
At some point, Ivy escapes from the clinic and settles on a secluded island in the Caribbean. For the first time, she is happy. The island is poisoned by one American corporation, civilians (including Pamela’s mistress) and flora and fauna on the island die, and Ivy vows to kill all the men who poison the nature.

Pamela underwent radical changes during No Man’s Land: first she turned green thanks to Catwoman, which marked the beginning of their enmity, and then showed maternal feelings for a group of orphans (she especially fell in love with the girl Rose), which was unusual for such a sociopath.She also found love during this period – Harley Quinn, but realized that she loved her much later.

During No Man’s Land, she also fought for her territory, Robinson Park, with Clayface I. Batman helped in the battle, but after Pamela lost interest in Batman.

Ivy was used in their plans by Hush and the Riddler, and Pamela achieved the greatest success of her life: taking control of Superman. Later she tried this trick with Supergirl, but it didn’t work for her.

Soon she ended up in Arkham, and tried to escape with the Magpie, but fell into a trap and became possessed by demons, turning into a huge “flytrap”. Etrigan the Demon cast her spell.

When the Riddler was looking for protection from her, she drove him away, still offended at him for the events of “Khash”, and even humiliated mentally and physically. After learning that her orphans were killed by two corrupt police officers, she brutally dealt with them.

Poison Ivy was considered dead for some time due to the machinations of Hasha, but returned a year later, at the moment when one of her best friends was killed.Her powers increased, but this did not save her when Harvest began to hunt her – a monster that turned out to be from the people she fed (there were “annoying mistresses”, “henchmen” and actors – kidnapped girls – of Pamela’s homemade porn ) a huge plant. Once again, Batman saved her life.

The Trickster and Pied Piper tried to hide from Deadshot during the Countdown in Pamela’s greenhouse, but she seduced them and threw them out into the street. During the same period, she received an invitation from Deathstroke to join the Secret Society of Super Villains, but eventually left the team.

Pamela’s talents tried to use the second Black Mask II, but she managed to get rid of the “tutelage”. During this period, she joined her best friend and longtime adversary to form the Syrens team. When Harley betrayed her and the Cat by returning to the Joker, Poison Ivy returned to Arkham. After a short time, she ran away again, forgave Harley, realizing that she loved her, and they went to look for, and then try to kill, Catwoman.

New52

In New52, Poison Ivy, hired by Black Canary, was briefly a member of the Birds of Prey. In the super-event “Rotworld” Isley was one of the few survivors on the planet captured by Rot and guarded the last evergreen forest (the Swamp Thing managed to save everyone by turning back the clock and erasing the planet’s absorption by the Rot).

During Forever Evil and the Arkham War, Bane broke her spine in his manner, Pamela quickly recovered and joined the Venom-pumped psychopaths he led against Bane and the Penguin Scarecrow.

After Bane practically tore her apart during the battle, Poison Ivy was later seen only as a member of the villain crowd.

Powers and Abilities

Strength

Poison Ivy possesses a bouquet of “meta-human abilities”, which includes:

Poison Ivy, like the Champion of Greenery, is practically immortal as long as she has a soul, is capable of performing simple actions with her hair, and is capable of regenerating severed limbs (in case of decapitation, she will grow a new body), and growing some appendages to the body like tentacles.

Ivy also possesses superhuman indicators of stamina and regeneration – Pamela does not need food. Ivy is able to enter a trance, in which her body goes into hibernation (wounds in this mode heal even faster), and the brain is in the inaccessible to an ordinary person.

Abilities

• Botanist
• Toxicologist
• Possession of hand-to-hand fighting techniques: Poison Ivy possesses a fighting style reminiscent of a combination of capoeira and sambo.

Weakness

• Dark sensitivity
• Psychological instability

Power Level

Pamela has tripled the strength of a woman of her age and size who trains intensely.

Appearances

Pre-Crisis First Appearance – Batman 161

Post-Crisis First Appearance – Black Orchid

Poison Ivy (Pamela Ailey)

Poison Ivy ( Poison Ivy ) her real name Pamela Lillian Eisley is a super villain of the DC Comics universe.She first appeared in a comic strip titled Batman # 181 (June 1966). The character was created by Robert Kaniger and Sheldon Moldoff. Poison Ivy appears as one of Batman’s opponents.

Poison Ivy is shown as one of the most famous eco-terrorists. She is obsessed with plants, botany and ecology. Ailey uses toxins from plants and mind-controlling pheromones in her criminal activities, which are usually aimed at protecting endangered species and the environment.Often her partner in various crimes is Harley Quinn, who is also her friend. She turned out to be one of the more powerful enemies of Batman, as she is one of the few opponents who have powers close to superpowers. In some comics, Poison Ivy depicts Batman’s love interest.

Poison Ivy was ranked 64th on IGN’s 100 Best Comic Book Villains. She was also ranked 21st on Comics Buyer’s Guide’s 100 Sexiest Women in Comics.

Biography

Silver Age

Pamela Lillian Ailey was an attractive and talented botanist who lived in Seattle. She was seduced by a criminal named Mark LeGrand, who needed her help in stealing an ancient Egyptian artifact containing herbs. After the crime was committed, LeGrandom decided that Ailey knew too much to keep her alive and so Mark poisoned her with the very herbs from the exhibit.

Fortunately for Aili, she survived and gained immunity to all types of toxins and diseases, as well as received a number of other powers. Calling herself Poison Ivy, she began wearing a green suit and plunged into the sire of crime. Combining her natural charm with hypnotic plant toxins, she directs people (mostly men) to follow her directions. She then moves to Gotham City, where she encounters Gotham’s main protector, Batman. Ivy almost managed to seduce Batman and make him his partner during their first encounter, undoubtedly Poison Ivy became one of the most dangerous opponents of the Dark Knight.

Modern Era

Poison Ivy’s origins were significantly changed following storyline Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985. Now, Pamela Ailey was the beautiful daughter of wealthy Seattle parents, but she was emotionally distant from them. Brilliantly intelligent, but shy and withdrawn and in college, she immersed herself in the study of biology, becoming an exemplary student with an unusual attraction to the plant world.Unfortunately, Ailey was seduced by her teacher, Dr. Jason Woodrue (who later became a villain named Floronic Man). As part of the experiment, Woodrue injected Aili with plant-derived toxins that altered her physiology.

Aili almost died twice from poisoning, she also lost the ability to have children. Woodrue left Ailey and fled the police while she was hospitalized. After Aili was discharged from the hospital, she experienced mood swings over what the professor did to her.She tried to resume her college studies and even found a new boyfriend, but her mental health deteriorated when her boyfriend died in a car accident. Deciding that she needed to start a new life elsewhere, Aily dropped out of college and moved to Gotham City. But in that moment, Aili’s psychotic mentality finally broke her down. She took the pseudonym Poison Ivy and donned a green suit. In her first crime, she holds the city hostage by promising to use the deadly disputes (which were created for her) if the city authorities do not provide her with a large sum of money.Unfortunately for Ivy, this was the same year Batman arrived in town. He thwarted Ivy’s plan and defeated her, after which she was sent to Arkham Asylum. This encounter with Batman made her possessed by the Dark Knight, because he was one of those people over whom she could not so easily gain control.

Abilities

Poison Ivy is immune to almost all types of toxins and poisons that it often uses as a weapon. The oils that her body produces contain biochemical toxins, so the slightest touch on her skin can poison an ordinary person if she so desires.She has developed a number of toxins that have different effects, including truth serum and love potion. She can easily hypnotize and manipulate people, especially men, with the help of special pheromones. Poison Ivy has complete mental control over all forms of living plants, she can manipulate them, using them to attack or trap her opponent, as well as to create new hybrid plants for special purposes.

She has a special relationship with plants.Poison Ivy treats them as if they were her children, and they react to her commands. Her experience in biochemistry allowed her to develop mutant plants and revive those plant species that have long been considered extinct. Ivy’s connection to the “green world” is said to be on par with supernatural beings such as the Swamp Thing. Ivy can also hear plants when they are in pain, which drives her crazy.

After her death and rebirth, Ivy’s strength has increased, she can grow giant plants from seedlings in a matter of seconds.She has incorporated live vines into her costume, which she can use as additional limbs in combat. She can now hear through plants, as shown in Gotham City Sirens # 4 when she found her kidnapped friend Harley Quinn using plants.

She has increased strength, resistance to injury and is very flexible than the average person. She is extraordinarily strong, about three times stronger than an athlete of the same height, weight and physique.She feels at home in the water and is an excellent swimmer. Ivy possesses certain fighting skills and can stand up for herself in battle, even if she does not use her other abilities. Ivy is dependent on the sun’s rays, which she absorbs and converts into energy in the same way as plants (and this is one of the reasons for the greenish tone of her skin). It becomes significantly weaker if it is deprived of sunlight for an extended period of time.

Although she is mentally unstable, Ivy possesses genius-level intelligence, particularly in relation to plants and may be one of the world’s foremost botanists.

In Media

Animated Series

Poison Ivy appears in Batman, voiced by Diane Pershing. Poison Ivy first appears in the episode “Poison Beauty,” where she is involved in the assassination attempt on Harvey Dent. She appears in the episode “Home and Garden” in which she was released from the hospital and married her doctor.

Poison Ivy appears in The New Adventures of Batman, voiced by Diane Pershing.Poison Ivy has undergone some design changes. She also became more funny and seductive. She presumably dies in a shipwreck in an episode titled “Chemistry.”

Poison Ivy appears in Static Shock, voiced by Diane Pershing. She appears in an episode titled “Tough as Neils,” in which she and Harley Quinn set up a “support and treatment” website that lures female metal people to Gotham, claiming their clinic will help cure metal people.

Poison Ivy appears in Justice League, voiced by Diane Pershing. In the episode titled “Better World”, which shows an alternate version of the universe, she appears there as one of the prisoners of Arkham Asylum. She, like other prisoners, was lobotomized, she is allowed to work as a gardener in the prison. She is met by Flash when he picks a rose in the garden.

Poison Ivy appears in the 2004 Batman animated series, voiced by Pierre Coppola.This incarnation, along with a new lineage and rose-like hair and dress, has a stronger bond with Barbara Gordon. Pamela Ailey is a high school student and conservation activist and is Barbara’s best friend. She convinces Barbara to help her with her “protests.” During one of the environmental terrorism missions, a mutagen of one enterprise falls on her. Pamela wakes up in an ambulance and later develops abilities similar to her previous incarnations.

Poison Ivy appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Jennifer Hale and Vanessa Marshall. Prior to her debut, she was mentioned in the episode “Rise of the Blue Beetle!” in a conversation between Jamie and Paco. In the episode “Chill of the Night!”, Poison Ivy appears among other villains at a supersonic weapons auction run by arms dealer Joe Chill. Pamela later appears in the teaser for the episode “The Mask of Matches Malone!”She and her army (which she calls her “Children of the Flowers”) have kidnapped Batman, and she tries to seduce the Dark Knight to become her king. After Batman refuses, she summons her guards to feed the giant flycatcher Batman. But the Black Orchid comes. to his aid, she frees Batman, and together they defeat Poison Ivy. She also plays a key role in the episode “Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above the Earth!”, She later appears with a cameo in the episode “Knights of Tomorrow!”, “Joker: Vile and vile! ” and “Devil’s Trap!”

Poison Ivy appears in the animated series Young Justice, voiced by Alyssa Milano. She is a member of the Injustice League. In the episode “Revelations”, Poison Ivy works with teammates to create a huge creature that attacks various cities around the world, with the goal of obtaining ransom from the United Nations. Robin and Miss Martian successfully destroy the creature, and the Injustice League members are soon detained by the Justice League.

Poison Ivy appears in Harley Quinn.

Animation films

Poison Ivy appears in LEGO. Batman: DC Super Heroes Team Up. ”

Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Attack on Arkham. When the Joker releases all of the prisoners at Arkham Asylum, Ivy goes to the greenhouse. Later, she kisses the guards and prisoners, thereby making them her subordinates.

Poison Ivy appears in The Lego The Movie: Batman.

Series

Poison Ivy appears in Gotham, portrayed by Claire Foley (season 1 and 2) and Maggie Geha (season 3). This version of the character is named Ivy Pepper and is portrayed as the young daughter of Mario, who is a petty criminal who is arrested for the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne. In the pilot episode, Detective Harvey Bullock kills her father during a shootout.In an episode of Lovecraft, Ivy is now living on the street, she states that her mother committed suicide after Mario’s death. As a result of her mother’s death, she was sent to a foster home, where her foster parents named her Pamela before she fled. She is later seen with Celine at Barbara’s apartment.

Films

Poison Ivy appears in Batman & Robin, portrayed by Uma Thurman. Dr. Pamela Eisley is a botanist working for Wayne Enterprises in South America.She conducts experiments in the hopes of crossing animals and plants so that they can defend against humans. However, a colleague, Dr. Jason Woodrow, steals the poison samples that Pamela used to turn the prisoner into Bane. Eisley is outraged that her research has been spoiled and when she refuses the money offered, Woodrow tries to kill her, he pushes her onto a shelf filled with beakers containing pesticides and other animal / plant toxins. She turns into a hybrid of humans and plants.She kills Woodrow by injecting poison through a kiss. She acquires allies, including Bane and Mr. Freeze, and plans to freeze the Earth with the help of giant cannons.

Games

• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: The Animated Series.
• Poison Ivy appears in The Adventures of Batman & Robin.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Chaos in Gotham.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman and Robin.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman Vengeance.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Dark Tomorrow.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Gotham City Racer.
• Poison Ivy appears in Lego Batman: The Videogame.
• Poison Ivy appears in DC Universe Online.
• Poison Ivy appears in Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes.
• Poison Ivy appears in Injustice: Gods Among Us.
• Poison Ivy appears in Arkham Asylum.
• Poison Ivy appears in Infinite Crisis.
• Poison Ivy appears in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Arkham Asylum.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Arkham City.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Arkham City Lockdown.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Arkham Origins.
• Poison Ivy appears in Batman: Arkham Knight.

90,000 Poison Ivy (character) – photo, biography, actress, DC Comics, makeup, films

Character story

Poison Ivy is a DC Comics character, a mad scientist and eco-terrorist who is ready to kill for a cut rosebud. However, small flaws are more than offset by an attractive appearance and unprecedented magnetism. The girl ranks 64th on the list of “100 Greatest Villains.”

Character Creation History

The sultry red-haired beauty first appeared on the pages of comics in June 1966. In Batman # 181, the villainess replaced Catwoman, who was considered too sexy and vicious by fans of the bat-man, even for a negative character.

The story and character of the eccentric eco-terrorist was invented by Robert Kaniger. Artist Sheldon Moldoff, inspired by photographs of pin-up queen Betty Page, designed the character.The girl appeared in front of readers in a tight swimsuit, stockings and boots. Decorations for the heroine were replaced by leaves. The Poison Ivy costume included all shades of green.

The half-naked diva firmly established herself in comics, but with the return of Catwoman she was forced to give up positions. By the way, the heroine received a specific skin color and bright makeup through the fault of her rival.

According to the description of the authors, initially the mutation did not affect the girl’s appearance in any way. But the next fight with a colleague in the evil case Catwoman ended tragically.Selina Kyle threw liquid in Poison Ivy’s face, which reacted with the skin. Surely the reason for this act was jealousy of Batman.

Poison Ivy Biography and Image

Pamela Lillian Eisley was born and raised in Seattle. The girl’s parents belonged to representatives of the high society and did little to raise their daughter. Pamela spent most of her time alone, so she grew up to be a quiet and shy girl.

From her youth, delirious with botany, Pamela enters a prestigious university.From this moment, the biography of Poison Ivy falls into three options. According to one version, the transformation into an anti-heroine happened by accident: while working in the laboratory, the girl spilled a chemical on herself that transformed Pamela’s body.

There is a theory that love is to blame for the changes that have occurred. Botany teacher Mark Legrand seduced the quiet man and persuaded his mistress to steal an urn filled with Egyptian herbs. After the crime was committed, the man poisoned his beloved.But instead of a sudden death, Pamela acquired supernatural powers.

Perhaps the most likely occurrence of Poison Ivy is the third option. Pamela, a talented university student, caught the attention of her biology teacher Jason Woodrow (the future villain Floro). Fascinated by the charming professor, Pamela comes to visit Jason. But instead of a date, a man kidnaps a girl. For a long time, Woodrow has been experimenting with the student, injecting biological poison into the blood.

The scientist’s secret experiments changed the structure of Pamela’s body. Now the girl controls the surrounding plants, is able to quickly heal wounds and is endowed with special pheromones, under the influence of which men and women obey the heroine unquestioningly. The terrible consequence of the poison was Pamela’s sterility.

Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn

From the incident, the heroine’s mental state went out of shape. Now the heroine has a specific goal – to earn as much money as possible in order to leave the city and move to a desert island.There, among her favorite plants, she will create a personal paradise. For this, Poison Ivy resorts to all sorts of methods: seduces and rob rich men, takes on contract killings, turns financial fraud and creates new drugs.

Soon Poison Ivy intersects with Batman. The battle with the brutal man ended not in favor of the heroine. Bruce Wayne managed to cope with sexual attraction and put the girl in a psychiatric clinic.

Feigning a serious illness, the girl escapes from the clinic.Poison Ivy is no longer going to leave the center of the criminal world. Ivy has a new goal – to punish everyone who offends plants. Well, and destroy (or conquer, she has not yet decided) Batman.

Poison Ivy, Superman and Batman

When Batman disappears from Gotham for a short time, Superboy attracts the seducer’s attention. The hero bravely knocks down Reactor, which is sent by another crazy villain named Metallo to the Ivy greenhouse. The young lady kisses the savior on the lips and subdues the will of the young man.

Despite his penchant for sociopathy and dislike of others, from time to time Poison Ivy creates beneficial alliances. The girl often works with Harley Quinn. Having invited Catwoman into their circle, the young ladies create a secret society “Gotham Sirens”. True, the alliance did not last long. The tension between Ivy and the Cat prevented the heroines from becoming friends.

Among the Ivy’s superpowers is the ability to spawn and control different types of flora, including those that are very dangerous for opponents.She is resistant to poisons, viruses and toxins and at the same time is poisonous herself: with one touch, the heroine is able to deprive a person of will and even kill. The concentration of its toxins is strongest in the area of ​​the lips, so Poison Ivy often infects victims with a kiss. The connection with plants also determines the corresponding weaknesses of the character: she needs to be fed by sunlight and is subject to seasonal mood swings.

Poison Ivy in the films

The first appearance of Poison Ivy on television took place in 1992.An animated adaptation of the Batman comics couldn’t do without the villainess. In one of the episodes, the girl starts a family – Poison Ivy marries her own attending psychiatrist.

In the animated series “The New Adventures of Batman” the voice of the heroine was presented by the actress Diane Pershing. In the cartoon, Poison Ivy joins forces with Harley Quinn. The villainous duo opposes not only Bruce Wayne, but Batgirl and Supergirl as well.

In the 1997 film Batman & Robin, Uma Thurman played the role of the red-haired seducer.In it, the heroine, together with Dr. Freeze, decided to freeze the Earth in order to later plant it with mutant plants. Alas, the fans did not appreciate the work of the actors and the crew. The film received 11 Golden Raspberry nominations, including the category for Worst Supporting Actress. Critics unanimously recognized Uma Thurman’s performance as indistinct.

Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy

In the TV series Gotham, viewers saw the youth of the future villain. The role of Ivy (aka Pamela) went to Claire Foley.After the death of her father and the suicide of her mother, the girl is under the care of a young Catwoman.

At the end of 2019, a new animated series “Harley Quinn” was released, which tells the story of the adventures of a supervillain who broke up with the Joker. In it, Poison Ivy appears as a close friend of Harley. Voiced by Lake Bell.

The character appears in video games and computer games based on the Batman comics. There she alternately acts as a companion of the main characters, then as an enemy.

Interesting Facts

• Poison Ivy is apparently capable of turning off the damaging power of its kiss. In one of the Superman comics, she kisses Kara Zor-El, but she remains alive and does not fall under the control of the villain.
• Poison Ivy is 175 cm tall and weighs 60 kg.
• Eco-terrorist makeup is one of the top 5 Halloween looks.
• In June 2015, a long-running rumor was confirmed on the official Twitter account of DC Comics: Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn have a relationship.Not only friendly.

Quotes

If I wanted to commit suicide, I would like to fall. Just close my eyes and imagine that I am flying.

Hopefully before I die I have a sports car, a family, a home. My mom died an old woman who never opened the top. One day with the top up is better than a lifetime in a box.

You cannot defeat Mother Nature. But she can destroy you!

Filmography

• 1992 – Batman: The Animated Series
• 1997 – Batman & Robin
• 1997 – Batman’s New Adventures
• 2004 – Batman
• 2014 – Batman: Attack on Arkham
• 2015 – Gotham
• 2019 – Harley Quinn

Games

• 2008 – LEGO Batman
• 2009 – Batman: Arkham Asylum
• 2011 – Batman: Arkham City
• 2012 – LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
• 2015 – Batman: Arkham Knight
• 2017 – Injustice 2

Poison Ivy: properties, plant features

Poison ivy has the scientific name rooting toxicodendron (lat.Toxicodendron radicans). This plant has nothing to do with simple harmless ivy. They are very similar in appearance, which is why they call him that. Ivy and sumac are often confused. But sumac is a varnish toxicodendron in the form of a bush or tree. Those. they are very similar, but still different.

Contents:

What is poison ivy?

Poison ivy belongs to plants, touching the leaves of which can burn or get other consequences – for example, in the form of general poisoning.Everything is poisonous in it – the stem, and leaves, and flowers, and fruits.
But, despite the toxicity and high danger to human life, this ivy is considered a plant with medicinal properties, and is often used in medicine. Therefore, it is worth getting to know this interesting and so contradictory plant closer, to find out what threats and benefits it hides.

This plant is very different from the tree-like congeners of the genus Toxicodendron Mill. Poison ivy is more like a liana, sometimes – a small shrub.It spreads its flexible long stems along the ground or wraps them around the trees, using additional roots for this.

Just like anything dangerous, poison ivy is very beautiful in appearance. In the warm season, its branches are covered with large green leaves. With the arrival of autumn, they turn red-orange. At the beginning of summer, yellow inflorescences begin to appear on the branches, which in autumn turn into clusters of fruits – round white-green drupes. North America, from Mexico to Canada, is considered the birthplace of toxicondrone.In those places, it can often be seen in forests or between bushes. We also have 2 species of wild-growing poison ivy, and then – only in the South Kuriles. One of them is called oriental, and the second is hairy. But their character is unfriendly. They are just as poisonous and cause severe poisoning from touch.

What is the danger of poison ivy?

This plant is still poorly studied, and there are different opinions about it. And if we talk about domestic species, then they have not yet been studied at all.But it is definitely clear that it secretes a liquid, which is called milky juice. In the air, it turns black, and it is she who is very poisonous. According to a group of scientists, this juice contains a resin called ursiolya. Others argue that the substance that the juice contains is a derivative of phenol. There is also a third opinion – the juice is called toxicodendrolic acid, and it is considered a mixture of glycosides. Another known fact is that the bark of these plants contains a poison called lobitin.

Whatever you call this substance, a very small amount is enough to burn yourself.If you touch any of the parts of a vine or branch, a burn will immediately appear on the skin.

In America, i.e. at home, this ivy is often the cause of many poisonings. Many such cases end in failure.

What are the benefits of poison ivy?

Like many dangerous poisonous plants, it is used in medicine because it can heal. Its study in medicine began at the end of the 18th century. Then it was first used to treat paralysis and rheumatism.The effect of poison ivy on the body is accompanied by a skin rash, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms are similar to fever or fever. Glands swell, mouth ulcers appear. It was these properties that doctors used. A drug called Rhus tox, based on toxicodendron, is used to treat those ailments that accompany fever, anxiety and swollen glands.

The medicine is made from ivy juice collected during the period of its high activity. This juice is mixed with pure alcohol, then filtered, and, adding some more components, is used for its intended purpose.

Tincture of stems and leaves is used by homeopaths to treat colds, flu, rheumatism, various skin and eye diseases. It also treats scarlet fever, lichen lichen, malaria, and is used for blistering rash and abscesses. A remedy called “Akofit”, which contains a tincture of ivy leaves, is often used in modern medicine in the treatment of neuralgia, rheumatism and radiculitis.

Perhaps the same medicinal properties are found in those plant species that grow in our country.With proper research, they could be used to heal, just like a distant North American relative.

Toxicodendron radicans – Toxicodendron radicans

Plant species

Toxicodendron radicans , commonly known as Oriental Poison Ivy or Poison Ivy , is an allergenic Asian and East North American flowering plant of the genus Toxicodendron .This species is well known for causing urushiol contact dermatitis, an itchy, irritating and sometimes painful rash in most people who touch it. The rash is caused by urushiol, a clear liquid compound in the sap of the plant. This species is diverse in appearance and habits, and despite its common name, it is not a real ivy ( Hedera ), but rather a member of a cashew. and the pistachio family (Anacardiaceae). T.radicans is commonly eaten by many animals and the seeds are eaten by birds, but poison ivy is most commonly considered an unwanted weed. This species differs from the western poison ivy Toxicodendron rydbergii , which has similar effects.

Description

There are many subspecies and / or varieties T. radicans that can grow in any of the following forms; they all have woody stems:

• as a climbing vine growing on trees or other support
• as a bush up to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) high
• as a hanging vine 10-25 cm (4-10 inches) high

Subspecies

• T.R. subsp. barkleyi Gillis
• T. p. subsp. divaricatum (Green) Gillies
• T. p. subsp. eximium (Green) Gillies
• T. p. subsp. hispidum (Green) Gillies
• T. p. subsp. negundo (Green) Gillies
• T.R. subsp. pubens (Engelm.ex S. Watson) Gillies
• T. p. subsp. radicans
• T. p. subsp. verrucosum (Scheele) Gillies

In deciduous leaves from T. radicans are trifoliate with three almond-shaped leaves. The color of the leaves ranges from light green (usually young leaves) to dark green (mature leaves), turning to bright red in autumn; although other sources say the leaves turn reddish as they expand, turn green as they mature, and then turn red, orange, or yellow again in the fall.The leaves of mature leaves are somewhat shiny. Leaflets are 3–12 cm (1.2–4.7 in) long, rarely up to 30 cm (12 in). Each leaf has several or no teeth along the edge, and the surface of the leaf is smooth. The bunches on the vine alternate, the plant has no thorns. Vines growing on a tree trunk are firmly attached by numerous aerial roots. The vine develops adventitious roots, or the plant can spread from rhizomes or root crowns. Poison ivy’s milky sap darkens when exposed to air.

• T. radicans is vegetatively or sexually transmitted. It is dioecious; flowering occurs from May to July. The yellowish-white or greenish-white flowers are usually invisible and are found in clusters up to 8 cm (3 inches) above the leaves. A berry-like fruit, a drupe that ripens from August to November and is grayish-white in color. Fruit is a favorite winter food for some birds and other animals. The seeds are distributed mainly by animals and remain viable after passing through the digestive tract.

• Vine T. radicans with typical reddish “hairs”: like leaves, vines are poisonous to humans.

• Detail of a flower with a bee

• Poison Ivy on the side of the road

• Leaves on the same plant may be smooth or serrated.

Distribution and Habitat

T.radicans is native to most of North America, including the coastal provinces of Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and all of the US states east of the Rocky Mountains, as well as mountainous regions of Mexico up to about 1,500 m (4,900 ft). … Caquistle or caxuistle is the Nahuatl term for this species. It is commonly found in forested areas, especially at the edges where the tree line breaks and lets sunlight through. It also grows in open rocky areas, open fields, and disturbed areas.

Can grow like forest undergrowth, but only to some extent shade tolerant. The plant is extremely common in suburban and suburban areas of New England, the Mid Atlantic and the Southeastern United States. Similar species T. diversilobum (western poison oak) and T. rydbergii (western poison ivy) are found in western North America, and T. orientale – in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Sakhalin.

T. radicans rarely grows above 1500 m (4900 ft), although the height limit varies from location to location. Plants can grow as a bush up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) tall, as a groundcover 10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) tall, or as a climbing vine on various supports. Old vines on solid supports produce side branches, which at first glance may be mistaken for tree branches.

It grows in a wide variety of soil types, and soil pH ranges from 6.0 (acidic) to 7.9 (moderately alkaline).It is not particularly sensitive to soil moisture, although it does not grow in deserts or arid conditions. Can grow in areas prone to seasonal flooding or brackish water.

This is more common now than when Europeans first arrived in North America. The development of real estate adjacent to wild, undeveloped land generates “edge effects”, allowing poison ivy to form huge lush colonies in these areas. It is listed as a poisonous plant in the American states of Minnesota and Michigan and in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Outside North America T. radicans also occurs in parts of China.

Poison ivy is particularly sensitive to carbon dioxide levels, which is greatly facilitated by the higher concentration in the atmosphere. Higher levels of carbon dioxide increase the growth rate of plants and cause them to produce more unsaturated urushiol, which causes a stronger reaction in humans. The growth and effectiveness of poison ivy has already doubled since the 1960s, and it could double again when carbon dioxide levels reach 560 ppm.

Effects on health

Video describing the effects of poison ivy on the body

Urushiol contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction caused by poison ivy. In extreme cases, the reaction can progress to anaphylaxis. About 15 to 25 percent of people do not have an allergic reaction to urushiol, but in most people the reaction is stronger with repeated or more concentrated exposure. Typically, urushiol oil rashes last five to twelve days, but in extreme cases can last a month or more.

Urushiol infects more than 350,000 people in the United States each year.

B pentadecyl catechins about sap in sumac juice and related plants cause an allergic reaction; Plants produce a mixture of pentadecylcatechols, which is collectively called urushiol. After injury, the sap seeps onto the surface of the plant, where urushiol becomes a blackish varnish upon contact with oxygen.

Urushiol binds to the skin on contact, causing severe itching, which develops into reddish inflammation or unpainted bumps and then blisters.These lesions can be treated with Calamine lotion, Borow’s solution compresses, special commercial poison ivy itch creams, or bathtubs to relieve discomfort, although recent studies have shown that some traditional medications are ineffective. Currently, dermatologists recommend over-the-counter itching treatments, or simply oat baths and baking soda for poison ivy.

Kamchatka is a plant-based agent for urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, although stone herb extracts have not been shown to be beneficial in clinical trials.Others argue that it is easy to prevent lesions by practicing effective washing, using regular soap, wiping with a washcloth, and rinsing three times within 2-8 hours after exposure.

Leaking liquid from scratching blisters does not spread poison. The fluid in the blisters is produced by the body, and it is not urushiol itself. The appearance of a spreading rash indicates that some areas received more poison and reacted earlier than other areas, or that contamination is still coming from contact with objects to which the original poison was spread.Sufferers can unknowingly spread urushiol inside the home, by phones, doorknobs, sofas, counters, tables, etc., thus actually repeatedly coming into contact with poison ivy and increasing the duration of the rash. If this happens, wipe the surfaces with bleach or a commercially available urushiol remover. Blisters and oozing are caused by blood vessels that create gaps and allow fluid to pass through the skin; if the skin cools, the blood vessels narrow and leak less.If the plant material is burned with urushiol and then the smoke is inhaled, the rash will appear on the lining of the lungs, causing severe pain and possibly fatal breathing difficulties. If you eat poison ivy, the lining of your mouth and digestive tract can be damaged. The urushiol rash usually develops within a week after exposure and may last 1–4 weeks, depending on the severity and treatment. In rare cases, reactions to urushiol may require hospitalization.

Urushiol oil can remain active for several years, so handling dead leaves or vines can cause a reaction.In addition, oil carried by the plant to other objects (such as pet fur) can cause a rash if it comes into contact with the skin. Clothes, tools and other items that have been exposed to the oil should be washed to prevent further reactions.

People who are sensitive to urushiol may also experience a similar rash from mangoes. The mango belongs to the same family (Anacardiaceae) as poison ivy; mango tree sap and mango peel have a chemical compound similar to urushiol.A related allergenic compound is present in raw cashew shells. Similar reactions have occasionally been reported upon contact with the related aromatic sumac ( Rhus aromatica ) and Japanese lacquer wood. These other plants also belong to the Anacardiaceae family.

Leaving

Immediate washing with soap and cold water or rubbing alcohol may help prevent reaction. During the reaction, Calamine lotion or diphenhydramine may relieve symptoms.In extreme cases, corticosteroids applied to the skin or taken by mouth may be appropriate. An astringent containing aluminum acetate (such as Burov’s solution) can also relieve and soothe uncomfortable rash symptoms.

Identity

These four characteristics are sufficient to identify poison ivy in most situations: (a) groups of three leaves, (b) alternative leaf arrangements, (c) no thorns, and (d) each group of three leaves grows on its own stem that connects with the main vine, the middle stem is longer.The appearance of poison ivy can vary greatly depending on the environment and even over a large area. Identification by experienced people is often hampered by leaf damage, lack of leaves in the plant in winter, and unusual growth patterns due to environmental or genetic factors. Various mnemonic rhymes describe the characteristic appearance of poison ivy:

1. “Leaves of three, let it be” is the most famous and most useful warning rhyme. This applies to poison oak as well as poison ivy.However, some other harmless plants have similar leaves.
2. “Hairy vine, not my friend”
3. “The berries are white, they flee in fright” and “The berries are white, the danger is visible.”

• Poison Ivy Warning

• Leaves and berries
  T. radicans

Plant-like

• In seedlings of boxwood ( Acer negundo ), the leaves are very similar to those of poison ivy, although the symmetry of the plant itself is very different.While boxwood often has five or seven leaves, there are often three leaves, especially on small seedlings. They can be distinguished by observing the location of the leaves where the leaf stem meets the main branch (where three leaves are attached). Poison ivy has alternating leaves, which means that the three-leafed leaves alternate along the main branch. The box elder has opposite leaves; the other stem of the leaf directly on the opposite side is typical for boxwood.
• The Virgin’s Gazebo ( Clematis virginiana ) is a vine of the buttercup family that grows in eastern North America. This vine can reach 10–20 feet (3.0–6.1 m) in height. It grows on forest edges, damp slopes, in rows of hedges, in thickets and stream beds. Between July and September, it produces white, fragrant flowers with a diameter of about 2.5 cm.
• Virginia liana ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia ) may look like poison ivy.Younger leaves may have three leaves, but have a few more teeth along the edge of the leaf, and the surface of the leaf is somewhat wrinkled. However, most of the leaves of the Virginia creeper have five leaflets. Virginia liana and poison ivy very often grow together, even on the same tree. Even those without an allergic reaction to poison ivy may be allergic to the oxalate crystals in virginia juice.
• Western poison oak leaves ( Toxicodendron diversilobum ) also grow three at the end of the stem, but each leaf is shaped like an oak leaf.Western Poison Oak only grows in western North America, although many people refer to Poison Ivy as Poison Oak because Poison Ivy grows either in the form of ivy or bushy oak, depending on the humidity and brightness of the environment. The ivy shape loves shady areas with little sun, tends to climb tree trunks, and can spread quickly across the ground.
• Sumac poisonous ( Toxicodendron vernix ) has compound leaves with 7-15 leaves.Poisonous sumac does not have only three leaves.
• Kudzu ( Pueraria lobata ) is a non-toxic edible vine that often climbs under vegetation or grows high into trees. Kudzu is an invasive species in the southern United States. Like poison ivy, it has three leaves, but the leaves are larger than those of poison ivy, and are pubescent underneath with hairy edges.
• Blackberries and Raspberries ( Rubus spp.) May resemble poison ivy with which they can share territory; however, blackberry and raspberry stems almost always have thorns, while poison ivy stems are smooth.In addition, the three-leafed pattern of some blackberry and raspberry leaves changes as the plant grows: leaves harvested later in the season have five leaves, not three. Blackberries and raspberries have many small teeth along the edge of the leaf, the upper surface of their leaves is strongly wrinkled where the veins are, and the bottom of the leaves is light mint greenish white. Poison ivy is all green. The stem of poison ivy is brown and cylindrical, while the stems of blackberries and raspberries can be green, square in cross section, and have thorns.Raspberries and blackberries are never real vines; they do not attach to trees to support their stems.
• Strawberries ( Fragaria ), wild or cultivated, have trifoliate leaves and red vines and can be found in similar ecosystems. However, strawberry leaves are serrated, with petioles of the same length. The stems also have small trichomes that poison ivy does not.
• The thick vines of the coastal vine ( Vitis riparia ) with no visible roots are different from the poison ivy vines, which have so many roots that the stem looks fluffy up the tree.Vines on the riverbank are purple in color, tend to hang from support trees, and have torn bark; Poison ivy vines are brown, attached to supporting trees, and have no bark.
• Fragrant sumac ( Rhus aromatica ) is very similar to poison ivy. While both species have three leaves, the center leaf of poison ivy is on a long stem, while the center leaf of the aromatic sumac has no distinct stem. When ground, the aromatic sumach leaves have a citrus-like scent, while poison ivy has little or no scent.Fragrant sumac produces flowers earlier than leaves in spring, while poison ivy produces flowers after leaves emerge. Flowers and fruits of scented sumach are located at the end of the stem, but are located in the middle of the poison ivy stem. The aromatic sumach fruits take on a deep reddish color and are covered with tiny hairs, while the poison ivy fruits are smooth and ripen to a whitish color.
• Hoptree ( Ptelea trifoliata ) has very similar leaves. However, it is a much larger plant, so confusion is unlikely to arise with any other than the smallest specimens.Flowers and seeds are also easy to distinguish from poison ivy.

Similar allergenic plants

References

external links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhus radicans .

Ivy or heder – home care with photo and video

Latin name: Hedera

Family: Araliaceae

Homeland: subtropics of North Africa and Europe Australia

Interesting brief information about ivy

Ivy or Hedera is a flexible evergreen climbing liana or a creeping shrub reaching thirty meters in height.Belongs to the genus Araliaceae. There are 15 types of heders and a huge number of its different forms.

Prefers humid places and is often found in the subtropical forests of the European part, Asia, the African continent, in the American territories. In these free natural conditions, ivy freely settles in shady forest places, where it rises to a great height in trees due to adventitious suction roots, weaves along rocks, stony slopes and along the ground.

Its long stems become thick and lignified with age.The original form, solid, regular ivy leaves of a dark green color with an intertwining mesh of light veins, are beautifully placed without shading each other, forming a leaf mosaic. Small flowers, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences, bisexual, yellow-green. They produce yellow or black berries with three or five seeds.

Indoor ivy is very popular, because it is not at all difficult to grow ivy at home, and even a novice flower lover will cope with this task. Small-leaved ivy at home looks very beautiful, in addition, it cleans the air well in the room.It can also be kept in low light conditions. For example, small-leaved ivy will not feel bad in the bathroom, where there is more humidity and less light. Ivy growing it is very common in gardens, courtyards, offices, shops using original varieties of vertical gardening. Living beautiful green walls of buildings, windows framed by green ivy, delight and fit into any interior.

Most common types of ivy

Common ivy (Hedera helix)

This is the most common type of ivy.There are about 100 different forms of common ivy, which are more capricious, require bright lighting and are valued most of all with leaves and spots on them of various colors: white, cream, yellow. The flowers do not stand out with particular beauty, and moreover, ivy practically does not bloom at home. Due to the large number of leaves, ivy has the ability to clean the air well. The healing properties of ivy have long been known throughout the world, have found application in folk medicine.

Colchis ivy (Hedera colchica)

A very interesting type of ivy. Its large, dark green leaves have an original nutmeg smell. Thin shoots of evergreen weaving ivy, thanks to short air roots, fix their vertical position and grow up to 30 meters in height. Small flowers bloom in autumn. The aboveground part of ivy is endowed with healing properties.

Canary ivy (Hedera canariensis)

The Canary Islands, Portugal, the north of the African continent can be considered the native land of the powerful ligneous liana.The main difference between Canary ivy and other species is the absence of sucker roots. Therefore, for convenient growth, the plant requires supports, it can grow like an ampelous plant. Powerful creeping stems grow up to 30 m, large leaves of various colors for each variety. The flowers are green-yellow in color, small, collected in inflorescences that resemble an umbrella. Canary ivy is poisonous.

Wax ivy (Hoya) or hoya

This is an unusually beautiful climbing houseplant, blooms with beautiful very graceful white, pink, yellow wax flowers at home.This beautiful vine belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family, but that’s a completely different story.

Ivy home care

Home ivy plant is not capricious. The main advantage of ivy is that it is shade-tolerant, which is a rare quality of the plant. He does not want high humidity and frequent watering. It is preferable to wipe or wash the ivy leaves in a dust-free environment. After all, clean leaves will better clean the air in the room.

In cool rooms, the ivy flower feels more comfortable in summer at a temperature of 18 degrees, and in winter at 6-12 degrees, it is not afraid of drafts and sudden changes in temperature.If the temperature exceeds 20 degrees, it is advisable to spray the plant to increase the humidity of the air.

Ivy, caring for it is absolutely not burdensome, but care and attention must be shown and the plant will thank it with beauty and attractiveness.

Ivy propagation

It is very easy and simple to propagate ivy as an indoor plant all year round, using apical cuttings. They are rooted in water, and after planting in the soil, the stalk must be pinched for better branching of the plant.

Ivy transplant

It is advisable to transplant a young ivy plant every year, and older plants once every three years. It is advisable to choose a wide pot for transplanting so that the ivy root system is conveniently located. Good drainage is essential. The soil is preferably breathable – peaty with the addition of sod and leafy soil.

Pruning periodically to give the plant a beautiful shape.

Pests and diseases of ivy

Ivy is a fairly resistant plant in relation to diseases.However, if the rules for growing ivy are not followed, various troubles arise. Often ivy is affected by spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, thrips, aphids. Ivy diseases caused by pests spread very quickly. Therefore, immediately start treating the plant with chemicals.