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POISON IVY - POISON OAK - POISON SUMAC - GIANT HOGWEED
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Poison Ivy
Poison ivy grows as a ground cover, a low shrub or even as a vine that scrambles up trees across most of the United States. The leaves start out solid green, in clusters of three per stem. They can be dull or glossy, and have pointed tips. Thin, aerial roots on the vines give them a fuzzy, or hairy, appearance.In summer, the plants produce yellow-green flowers that are followed by whitish berries. By fall, the leaves become yellow and red. The CDC says that poison ivy grows across the U.S., except for California, Alaska and Hawaii.
Poison Oak
The leaves of this plant look a lot like oak leaves, and like poison ivy, they usually grow in clusters of three. But some kinds of poison oak have five, seven or nine leaves per cluster.
Poison oak usually grows as a shrub in the Southeast or along the West Coast. It bears clusters of greenish yellow or white berries.
Poison Sumac
This plant likes to grow in swampy locations, and is often found along the Mississippi River or in boggy areas throughout the Southeast. It also breaks the rule that says, “Leaves of three, let it be,” because it typically has seven to 13 leaflets arranged in pairs. The leaves sometimes have black or dark brown spots that are filled with urushiol. In autumn, the leaves turn red, yellow and pinkish. Poison sumac typically grows into a woody shrub with glossy cream or pale yellow berries.
Poison ivy grows as a ground cover, a low shrub or even as a vine that scrambles up trees across most of the United States. The leaves start out solid green, in clusters of three per stem. They can be dull or glossy, and have pointed tips. Thin, aerial roots on the vines give them a fuzzy, or hairy, appearance.In summer, the plants produce yellow-green flowers that are followed by whitish berries. By fall, the leaves become yellow and red. The CDC says that poison ivy grows across the U.S., except for California, Alaska and Hawaii.
Poison Oak
The leaves of this plant look a lot like oak leaves, and like poison ivy, they usually grow in clusters of three. But some kinds of poison oak have five, seven or nine leaves per cluster.
Poison oak usually grows as a shrub in the Southeast or along the West Coast. It bears clusters of greenish yellow or white berries.
Poison Sumac
This plant likes to grow in swampy locations, and is often found along the Mississippi River or in boggy areas throughout the Southeast. It also breaks the rule that says, “Leaves of three, let it be,” because it typically has seven to 13 leaflets arranged in pairs. The leaves sometimes have black or dark brown spots that are filled with urushiol. In autumn, the leaves turn red, yellow and pinkish. Poison sumac typically grows into a woody shrub with glossy cream or pale yellow berries.
POISON IVY
POISON OAK
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Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed is a public health hazard that ranks up there higher than poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac in respect to its potential to harm humans. The reason for concern is that the sap from this plant can cause a severe skin reaction known as photo-dermatitis or photo-sensitivity. The reaction can happen up to 48 hours after contact. After coming in contact with the sap, the skin blisters when exposed to sunlight. Contact with the eyes can lead to temporary or possibly permanent blindness. The weed can be especially troublesome for children that may find the long stems attractive to play with. If you do come into contact with the plant, and especially the sap, you are advised to wash the affected areas immediately, keep the exposed area out of direct sunlight and seek medical advice.
Proper identification is an important first step. A number of common plant species resemble Giant Hogweed, but there are ways to tell them from the real thing. Only approximately 2% of suspect plants submitted to MDARD for identification are confirmed as Giant Hogweed.
Some characteristics:
Giant Hogweed is a public health hazard that ranks up there higher than poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac in respect to its potential to harm humans. The reason for concern is that the sap from this plant can cause a severe skin reaction known as photo-dermatitis or photo-sensitivity. The reaction can happen up to 48 hours after contact. After coming in contact with the sap, the skin blisters when exposed to sunlight. Contact with the eyes can lead to temporary or possibly permanent blindness. The weed can be especially troublesome for children that may find the long stems attractive to play with. If you do come into contact with the plant, and especially the sap, you are advised to wash the affected areas immediately, keep the exposed area out of direct sunlight and seek medical advice.
Proper identification is an important first step. A number of common plant species resemble Giant Hogweed, but there are ways to tell them from the real thing. Only approximately 2% of suspect plants submitted to MDARD for identification are confirmed as Giant Hogweed.
Some characteristics:
- White flowers with 50-150 flower rays clustered into an umbrella shaped flower cluster up to 2.5 feet across
- Between 7 and 14 feet tall (depending upon growth stage and if mowed or cut)
- Huge leaves, incised and deeply lobed up to 5 feet across
- Stems are green with extensive purple splotches and prominent coarse white hairs. Stems are also hollow, ridged, 2-4 inches in diameter, and have a thick circle of hairs at base of leaf stalk
- Seeds are dry, flattened, and oval. Approximately 3/8 inch long and tan with brown lines (oil tubes) extending 3/4 of the seed length that widen at ends
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The sap from this plant can cause a severe skin reaction known as photo-dermatitis or photo-sensitivity. The reaction can happen up to 48 hours after contact. After coming in contact with the sap, the skin blisters when exposed to sunlight.
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