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Is it Poison Ivy?

It’s the oil on every part of poison ivy (leaves, branches and roots) that causes a rash. There are a number of plants that look like it, so it’s good to avoid it if you are not sure about it. Here’s how to identify this pesky and potentially dangerous plant:

Poison ivy has three leaves or leaflets that grow as a group off the same stem. Its leaves are green and somewhat shiny in summer, red in fall and its berries are white and waxy.
The branches and vines of poison ivy are woody looking and the roots are hairy but you don’t want to dig it up to look at it. There are two types: the kind that grows like a bush and the kind that grows as a vine. You will often find the viney kind growing up fences and forest trees.

If you’ve been exposed it’s a good idea to change clothes immediately and wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible. Wash your clothes immediately, too, because the oil will stay on the clothing and spread farther if it’s not washed off right away.

• Information on practically everything poison ivy:
  http://www.poison-ivy.org/

• A good read:
  The Joy of Summer Camping, by Herb Gordon, a Sierra Club expedition leader and experienced family camper is published by Burford Books

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