Poison ivy is a very commonly found plant in the United States that can cause skin allergies in a majority of people.Did you know that up to 85% of Americans may be allergic to poison ivy or poison oak? Some individuals are extremely allergic and may need medical attention.Eastern poison ivy is scientifically called Toxicodendron radicans. Interestingly, contrary to its name, this plant does not belong to the ivy family. It is a part of the family Anacardiaceae (cashew family) and has numerous subspecies. Urushiol oil is a clear liquid that is found in the plant’s sap. This clear liquid causes an allergic reaction in people’s skin, leading to a condition called urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. This allergic reaction is characterized by itching, skin irritation, and the development of skin rashes. The plant, its leaves, and berries are commonly consumed by most animals and birds without fear. Only human beings seem to have allergic reactions to this plant species.Once you have finished reading this article, why not discover banana facts and cauliflower fun facts here on Kidadl?Eastern Poison Ivy CharacteristicsThe plant is available in three common forms: vines that climb trees, shrubs that grow low to the ground, and trailing vines that can be trailed on walls and buildings. Trailing vines can grow quickly in the ground and cover a large area in a short period of time.ivy vines can start at the base of the tree trunks and, in a matter of months, cover the entire tree surface, reaching the top. Here are some of the interesting characteristics of eastern poison ivy.The leaves of the eastern poison ivy tree mostly grow as trifoliate, which means that there are three leaflets in each node. This is one of the most basic characteristics of this plant. The younger leaves are light green, and the mature leaves are dark green in color. In the fall, the leaf color changes to a bright red, which looks stunning. This is the reason a lot of old buildings let the vine of the ivy plant creep in. It makes the whole building have hues of red in the fall. The surface of the leaves is smooth and slightly shiny.All species of the plant have woody stems, and the vine is hairy. Another distinct identification property of poison ivy is that the set of three leaves always emerge on their own stem, and these are always connected to the main stem. These plants grow low on the ground. The creepers that grow on tree trunks develop multiple strong aerial roots and hold strongly onto the trunk.Have you heard of the rhymes, ’leaf of three, leave it be’ and ‘hairy vine, no friend of mine’? These rhymes are told to children to identify and stay away from these poisonous plants.This is a flowering plant, and it usually flowers between the months of May and July. The flowers are differently colored, ranging from green to white and yellow. The flowers are small and in full bloom, but they look pretty in clusters. Because of the presence of flowers, this plant is able to reproduce sexually, and this is how it has spread throughout the country.Poison ivy also produces berries. These are gray, white, or grayish-white in color and mature during the months of August and November. Most of the birds and animals in the United States love these berries, and another way the plant spreads throughout the country is through animal and bird droppings.Here is a list of very similar plants that are often mistaken for poison ivy.Atlantic Poison Oak: Scientifically called Toxicodendron pubescens, this is not very commonly seen in the United States but looks similar to eastern poison ivy. Just like eastern poison ivy leaves, this also grows as a trifoliate and the leaves are smooth without teeth or ridges.Virginia Creeper: A lot of people confuse Virginia creeper, a harmless domestic vine, with the eastern poison ivy. An easy way to differentiate is by the number of leaf specimens. The former will have five leaflets on the stems, while the poison ivy leaflets are almost always just three.Poison Sumac: This is also a poisonous shrub that is confused with poison ivy. However, the sumac always has 7-15 small leaflets and not just three.Fragrant Sumac: This looks very similar to poison ivy and also has three leaves. While the crushed poison ivy leaves don’t have any distinct smell, the crushed leaves of fragrant sumac smell citrusy and this is a stark difference. ,Taking Care Of Eastern Poison IvyIf you live in the US, there is no way you can avoid being around eastern poison ivy. Given that 85% of folks develop allergies, there is a high chance you may too.Touching the sap in the plant with bare hands or feet can lead to allergies. Coming into contact with clothes, shoes, or bags that touch the sap can also cause rashes. Coming into contact with your pet who has been playing and rolling in the ivy vine may lead to an eastern poison ivy allergy. Urushiol oil can remain active on dead vines that climb trees or on dead leaves and stems for several years. So, exercise caution when you are clearing your garden.If you think you have developed an allergy to poison ivy, here are some of the signs to look out for: redness in the skin, rash, development of blisters, itching, and swelling. If you inhale burning poison ivy, you may develop breathing difficulties.If there is an excessive itch, wash the affected area with hot water. Hot water rushes the blood to the affected area and eases the itch. However, don’t use very hot water as it is not good for blisters and rashes. Stop the hot water treatment as soon as the itching stops.For blisters and rashes, you can try any over-the-counter calamine lotion. Calamine soothes the skin and helps reduce the redness and swelling, too. You can apply a hot water compress over the cream to help reduce the swelling quickly. There are ivy blockers available in drug stores, and these are creams that act as a protective layer on the skin. If you are planning on trekking or being outdoors for an extended period of time, these may provide relief. For severe rash and other side effects like breathing difficulties, rush to the nearest emergency room or call 911.To prevent allergies, wear long clothing. Pick full-sleeved shirts, long pants, boots, and gloves if it is cold when you step outside. When you walk, avoid walking very close to innocent-looking shrubs and vines. These may be poison ivy, and they can immediately cause a rash or infection. Learn to identify poison ivy by the type of plants, number of leaves, and the kind of stem. Teach your children to identify the eastern poison ivy, too. Once you come back from a walk, wash all your clothes and clean the equipment or accessories you used outside, using soap and water.Difference Between Eastern And Western Poison IvyEastern poison ivy is the most common type of tree found in most parts of the United States. However, there is another variant that you should know about too. This is called the western poison ivy, scientifically named Toxicodendron rydbergii.This variant is commonly found in Canada and in a few parts of the United States. Unlike the eastern poison ivy that can grow as vines, the western variant is mostly seen as shrubs. In compound leaves, two leaves face one another, and one leaf is placed perpendicular to the two.While the berries of the eastern poison ivy are whitish in color, those of the western poison ivy are usually yellow or brown. The flowers of both these variants of ivy are clustered and are green or white in color. These flowers are both unremarkable and often unnoticed. The leaf of the eastern poison ivy is usually symmetrical and smooth, while the leaf of the western poison ivy is irregular and can have teeth in the edges.Unlike the eastern poison ivy, whose sap alone contains urushiol, all parts of the western poison ivy, including the leaf, flower, and branch tips, may contain this chemical, instantly causing skin irritation and rash.Where does eastern poison ivy grow more?The simple answer to this is that eastern poison ivy grows everywhere! You can find the plants growing on roadsides, near ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water, and in gardens that are not maintained and cleaned regularly. The shrub can grow along with some decorative shrub in your garden, and you may not even notice them. Some people don’t realize the plant is poisonous, and they let it grow because the flowers and fruits look pleasant.This plant grows easily anywhere where there is full sun and is found all throughout the coastal areas, too. In fact, it grows everywhere in the United States, except in some parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and Nevada.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for eastern poison ivy plant facts, then why not take a look at which is the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains?, or Rhode Island major rivers.
Poison ivy is a very commonly found plant in the United States that can cause skin allergies in a majority of people.
