HAZARDOUS PLANTS

Poison Ivy

An allergen plant that takes the shape of three leaves with pointed tips and jagged edges, one on each side and one at the center, Poison Ivy (scientific name: Toxicodendron radicans) has a middle leaf with a longer stem than the two side leaves. Poison Ivy is red in spring, green in summer, and yellow or orange in fall. It’s best to avoid contact with Poison Ivy because they have a substance named Urushiol that will cause what is called Poison Ivy Rash. Once in contact with the plant, red blisters or streaks of red rashes that cause a serious itch will appear within 1-3 days and last up to 3 weeks.