POISON IVY - the pitts!

See the plant to the right of  your screen - beware, it's poison ivy. As you can see, it has three predominant clusters of shiny leaves. There are several varieties of  poison ivy, which also includes poison oak, and poison sumac.

This plant is very adaptable, and grows in a host of soil/terrain types and locations. It does, in all forms, like lots of sunlight, so you'll find it growing in open, and semi open areas, but seldom in dense, shaded bush. And, as bad luck would have it, similar locations to where one would like to pitch a tent while camping, or have a picnic etc. 

The variety shown here is a small plant, and is very common throughout most of central and eastern North America. But this variety can also grow as a vine, and will climb trees and other larger structures - seeking sun. Mature poison ivy plants will have greenish/white berries. These too, are poisonous. 

Some people are more sensitive than others, to poison ivy, and there is seemingly no rhyme nor reason to this sensitivity. I, for example, don't catch poison ivy, but my older brother is very susceptible, and can catch poison ivy with only the very slightest exposure. 

Poison ivy is a deciduous plant, and loses it's leaves each fall. Most varieties of mature poison ivy will often have small whitish/green berries, which will remain on the plant all winter, and are just as, if not more poisonous, than the green plant. One could easily mistake this for mistletoe - which for sure - IT AINT! 

Poison ivy causes a very painful rash, which spreads, especially when scratched. The rash will weep and ooze, and the yellowish exuded liquid will infect other areas of one's anatomy, if it comes in contact with it. 

While animals rarely catch poison ivy, they could,  especially on exposed skin; but they can carry the poison on their fur/hair. A person who is sensitive to poison ivy could easily contact it from the animals contact with poison ivy, by touching/petting the animal, and come down with poison ivy rash. 

Often medical help will be required, but in the olden days people used jewelweed juice, or aloe to coat and soothe the sad messy rash. Today, a mild case is often treated with calamine lotion. The new on the market cortisone ointments have a lot of promise for poison ivy sufferers, and is an 'over the counter' medication available at most pharmacies. 

For more detail, photos, and description of poison ivy, areas where it is found, and where it grows, please consider my Factsheet from the product section of this homepage. 

STINGING NETTLE - you'll know when you find it!

This is a very hazardous plant, and like poison ivy, can cause a painful ordeal for anyone coming in contact with it. The photo on the left of this page, shows what a typical stinging nettle plant looks like, and is to be avoided by all! 

An outdoor buff who gets 'whapped' in the face by one of these plants may be in for a very sadly painful episode. Often redness and swelling will be associated, and will start immediately after contact. If left alone, the rash won't usually 'break open' and ooze like poison ivy, and most of the time this rash will subside after a few hours. If one gets this in the face or sensitive area, medical help should be sought. Calamine lotion, or a watery paste of baking soda and water can often ease the pain in non-sensitive areas of skin, such as arms and legs. If someone gets this in the eyes - don't hesitate in seeking medical aid - pronto! 

Stinging nettle plants grow in uncultivated areas, such as along fence rows, along ditches, etc., and seems to like moist places. Along a trout stream is often a good place to find it. In the olden days a tea was made from the dried leaves and flowers. 

The plant grows to very tall heights. I've seen stinging nettle plants eight feet high, but four to six foot is average. The leaves are about four inches long, and are dark green, serrated, or toothed on the outside of the leaf. There are dense clusters of greenish clustered flowers, often bunched around, but hanging somewhat, from the stems, between the whirls of leaves. All parts of the plant is covered with microscopic hairs, which carry the venomous 'folic acid' which is what causes the irritation once contacted. These tiny hairs seem to inject the poison into the top layer of our skin. The rash doesn't spread like poison ivy, and only the area actually contacted by the plant will be affected. But oh - is it painful! 

Early season hunters should be mindful that animals can be 'stung' by this plant too, and dogs under parts, where there is little protecting fur, and around their eyes are very susceptible.