A Dad’s Guide to Poison Ivy
Hey Dad,
Right now my wife is ‘enjoying’ an extreme case of poison ivy. A week an a half ago we were cleaning the yard in preparation for my son’s wedding in less than two months. We raked, cleaned, and hauled. About a week ago, my lovely skinned wife started feeling itchy. Now she’s got it full blown and is covered on her arms, torso, and shoulders. Uggg.
I was thinking that every dad should be able to identify Toxidendron Radicans or the common poison ivy plant.
So here’s the Familyman’s Guide to Spotting Poison Ivy.
1. Remember this rhyme “Leaves of three let them be.” That means anything with three leaves should catch your attention. But here’s the deal: not all three leaved plants are PI.
2. The plants are less than foot from the ground. The leaves are usually glossy and deep toothed. Not evenly saw-toothed, but irregular deep toothed (see photo).
3. Sometimes the bases of the leaves have a red tint to the stem. Notice too, that the middle leaf has a tiny stem where it connects to the other leaves (don’t let your nose hit the leaves).
4. PI can form vines that climb trees. A sure fire sign that you’re looking at PI is if the vines look hairy (little tendrils sticking to the tree). Even in the fall or winter without leaves…avoid the vines.
5. PI often grows on the edges of woods, paths, and clearings. Don’t ask me why…I guess they like the sun and don’t like other competition.
*** So, Dad, do a little Googling and make sure you can identify PI in your neck of the woods. You’re kids will think you’re some kind of wilderness expert and your wife will come running to you, “Honey, is that poison Ivy?” And you can answer with confidence, “You can tell by those leaves and stem that that’s definitely Toxidendron Radicans.”
You ‘da dad,
This Post Has 5 Comments
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Todd,
Also important to know is that the oil from the plants may stay on clothing a long time so they need to be thoroughly cleaned. I seem to remember that it may even be carried in smoke from a fire if any PI is being burned. People can also get a rash from poison oak and poison sumac: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/poison-ivy-oak-sumac
Michael
Monterey, California
Yes Michael the smoke from burning poison oak or ivy can affect people. Todd in California it’s mostly poison oak and not ivy. It can be a large bush too. So for us west coast folks, take a look here:
http://www.mount-rainier-cabins.com/56-poison-ivy-vs-poison-oak/
Joshua
Southern California
Todd, great minds and great heads up! I was just out spraying death onto a poison ivy cluster…nothing better than the sound of round up falling on poison ivy leaves! We moved into our house about 2 years ago and the previous owner apparently did nothing to control it as we have (had) 4-6″ thick vines that we Tarzan’d with until we realized what they were. Fortunately they were either so thick & hairy or were dormant or something because no one caught anything (we have on the leaves). Hacked those down and use disposable latex gloves to pull out where we don’t want to spray, and are really getting it under control. Thanks for making sure dads are aware of this!!!
Tom
Just outside Winston Salem NC
Tom, that’s amazing that you didn’t get it. I have a key fob on my key ring turned from a 3″ poison ivy vine. But the guy blasted it with a plastic resin…supposedly protecting me from getting it.
Check out a product called Oral Ivy.