If you like camping, hiking, biking or just about any other out-door activity, it’s time for you to learn a new word. Can you say Urushiol? Pronounced (u-roo-sha-ol) it is the name of the oil found in the poison ivy plant (Toxicodendron rydbergii).
Poison ivy is a very common plant in the Northland. It is one of those plants that grows well just about anywhere. It enjoys direct sun but will grow in the shade. It also likes dry soil but will grow in moist soil. I find it mostly growing along paths or the edge of woodlands, fence rows, thickets, or if you’re really unlucky the edge of your backyard.
There is a lot of confusion about poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, the toxic trio. Let’s start by clearing up a few misconceptions. We only have poison ivy and poison sumac in the northland, no poison oak.
Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), which is much more poisonous than poison ivy, grows deep within acid / tamarack bogs making this plant nearly impossible to come in contact with. So put any fears of poison sumac out of your mind, unless you are in the habit of wading through knee deep sphagnum moss.
Poison ivy on the other hand is extremely common. There are some areas that are filled with the nasty devil. And the best way to avoid coming in contact with this scourge of the woods is to be able to correctly identify the plant and stay away.
Poison ivy is a low growing plant or vine with a woody stalk that splits off into three branches. Each branch usually has three pointed oval shaped leaves that only somewhat resemble an “ivy” shaped leaf.
Poison ivy is a master of disguise. Its leaves are usually shinny but can be dull. The edge of each leaf can be smooth or have large teeth. It grows on the ground but also vines high into trees. About the only consistent characteristic are its woody stem, yellow to green flowers that produce green to white berries after the plant is three years old, and a middle leaf stem, called a petiole, that is longer than the outer two. Lastly, it is one of the first plants to turn deep red each autumn. A good way to remember this plant is the old saying, “leaves of three, let it be.”
Interestingly, it appears that only humans have troubles with poison ivy. Animals, birds and other wild critters have no troubles with this plant. Birds and bears eat the berries and lay amongst the leaves without any troubles. In fact many cases of poison ivy are transmitted from family pets like dogs and cats to their owners.
The only way to get poison ivy is to come in contact with our friend urushiol. Urushiol oil is found in every part of the plant except the flowers. The oil, which causes the allergic reaction, has the consistency and color of 3-in-1 oil. Only when the plant is damaged in some fashion does the oil leak out. This is the point that the oil is transferred to you. When heated, the oil spatters like butter and will attach to smoke particles and can cause very serious rashes to anyone downwind. Nationally, only 10% of the human population is truly immune to its ill effects. So if you are one of those that say, they are immune to poison ivy, it may be that you have never come in contact with the plant.
Urushiol can also lay in waiting for you on garden tools, clothing and even your pet for up to year. So let this be a warning to you about messing with poison ivy. If you think you have been exposed to this menace, the best treatment is water or alcohol and lots of it. Rinse the effected area with an alcohol and water mixture and wash all your clothing in hot soapy water.
There are hundreds of “home remedies” most of which are not effective. Treatment of a minor case can be handled at home while a serious case of poison ivy should be handled by your doctor. There is a saying that goes: poison ivy that is left untreated will last about two weeks while a case that is treated will last only 14 days. So this summer make it your duty to learn just one plant, the amazing poison ivy and steer clear of this home wrecker of the woodland. Until next time…