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#How to treat poison ivy skin#
Close up macro poison ivy rash blisters on human skin The oil itself is invisible to the naked eye but has the consistency and persistence of axle grease. It causes a contact dermatitis characterized by a painful and itching reaction in about 85% of people. These members of the Toxicodendron family all contain an oily, organic compound called “urushiol”. Why Should You Avoid These Poisonous Plants? However, of the three Toxicodendron species we’re talking about, T. Poison sumac also grows in the wettest conditions possible, so if you avoid swamps and the thick undergrowth along the edges of ponds you should miss contact with poison sumac. Many people confuse the nasty poison sumac with the beneficial staghorn sumac poison sumac has leaves that are smooth, while the staghorn has leaves with toothed margins. Red stems branch off the main trunk and serve as an identifying feature of this toxic plant. As a full-grown tree the poison sumac can reach 30 feet in height. The leaves of poison sumac are smooth and grow pinnately each leaf will have 7-13 leaflets growing opposite of each other. You probably won’t find much poison sumac because it’s relatively uncommon and prefers saturated areas in standing water or muddy, swampy banks. Toxicodendron vernix is a dweller in wet, swampy areas in the eastern regions of the United States. It can grow to be more than one hundred feet long. The only sure-fire identifiers for poison oak is that it has three leaves attached to individual stems, and that its leaf stems grow in an alternating fashion. Unfortunately poison oak is variable in its leaf appearance. Like poison ivy, you can identify poison oak by its groups of three leaves however, the leaves of poison oak are scalloped and similar to that of oak trees (where this plant gets its common name). It generally will not grow above elevations of 5,000 feet. You’ll find poison oak in the western United States and the southeastern United States growing in areas of filtered sunlight. Toxicodendron diversilobum isn’t as widespread as poison ivy, but it is just as troublesome. ALL parts of this plant are toxic to people and will cause a poison ivy rash!Īlthough it causes a rash in humans, many species of wildlife rely on poison ivy as a food source and are not affected by it. It can grow as a vine or a short shrub reaching about four feet high. The leaves are usually an emerald green, but in the spring they take on a surprisingly attractive reddish hue. Remember these words of wisdom: “leaves of three let it be” and “hairy vine, no friend of mine” to have an easier time identifying this plant in the wild.
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The leaves will grow in groups of three and tend to be almond or tear-shaped, and each group of leaves is individually attached by a stem to the parent vine. radicans is identified by a few regular characteristics, although variations are possible between geographical areas. It typically prefers soil that’s been worked by humans at some point, so you’ll often find this sucker growing in gardens, parks, and the borders of old farmland. radicans growing all over the United States except in Alaska, California, and Hawaii. Poison ivy is botanically known as Toxicodendron radicans and is more closely related to the pistachio than a true ivy. Avoid touching anything you haven’t positively identified, and definitely avoid eating anything you find outdoors without proper training. These three plants are relatively easy to identify, so if you keep your eyes open and brush up on a little botanical know-how, you’ll have an advantage over those who prefer blundering through the undergrowth.Īs a bit of general knowledge, many plants can really mess up your day.