The Ins and Outs of Poison Ivy
Now that the weeds are growing, it is time for maintenance. But remember that Mother Nature has her own defenses while you are taming her back. Toxicodendron is one of those weeds that has it's own defense. Toxicodendron is a genus that includes Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Sumac. One little brush of these plants can cause an allergic rash and blisters that can last up to three weeks. The rash is caused by Urushiol (a chemical in the sap). As with all allergic reactions, it should be taken seriously. Before we get into getting rid of it, we need to identify it. Poison Ivy is the easiest to identify. It is a woody vine with smooth leaves. The leaves are always grouped in clusters of three. The clusters alternate on the vine. Poison Oak is similar to poison ivy in appearance. It is a woody vine with smooth leaves. The leaves are clustered in groups of three alternating on the vine. The difference is the shape of the leaves. Also, poison oak berries are fuzzy. Pois