History. Poison ivy is neither poisonous nor a true member of the Ivy family (Hedera). Instead, it is a member of the Anacardiaceae family, which also includes pistachios, cashews, and mangoes. All members of the Anacardiaceae family contain various forms of pentadecylcatechols within their sap, which is collectively termed urushiol, an oleoresin released from the injured leaves, stems, vines, or berries of these plants. 7 The Poison Ivy Premium Format Figure measures 18” tall and 11” wide as Pamela Isleyreclines on some vines that have destroyed the Gotham City Police Department building. Rusted cell bars bend and break under her botanical strength and Ivy’s darling carnivorous plants infest the precinct, taking a bite out of crime … from the rogue's perspective.

hog-peanut and ground nut are vines with alternate leaves (like poison-ivy) but with clusters of small whitish to purplish or brownish flowers like those of the sweet pea. Nevertheless, when in doubt, avoid touching the unknown plant until you have obtained help to identify it. Control of Poison Ivy Although the leaflets are somewhat oval, they vary greatly in shape and size. Their margins vary from perfectly smooth ( Figure 3A) to finely or coarsely toothed ( Figure 3D), to deeply and irregularly lobed ( Figure 3E). Undersides of the leaflets may be finely hairy all over, or just along the veins and veinlets, or may be virtually without hairs.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/touch-me-nots-poison-ivy-poison-oak-and-poison-sumac/

Figure 1. Poison ivy leaves have three leaflets. Leaflets have scattered, jagged teeth along the edges and may have a larger tooth or lobe close to the bottom edge of the leaflet, giving it a mitten-like shape. There is often a red spot where the bottom two leaflets join together. Several herbicides (chemical weed-killers) have been used effectively for providing good control of poison-ivy: These herbicides can be bought in various concentrations and under many different trade or brand names. Therefore, it is not feasible in this Factsheet to give detailed instructions for mixing and application of each kind. Detailed directions for its use are printed on the label on every container of each herbicide. Follow the manufacturer's directions. For safety's sake, read the label carefully and observe all precautions printed on it.

While there is no entirely satisfactory treatment for TCD other than the “tincture of time,” longer-course glucocorticoid therapy, such as triamcinolone or prednisone, has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms associated with TCD. 8 Short courses of low-dose methylprednisolone (so-called “dose paks”) are too brief and too weak to offer effective relief. Glucocorticoids should be administered using a 2- to 3-week taper starting with 60mg daily (preferably taken in the morning with food to avoid gastritis) for five days that is reduced to 40mg daily for five days and then down to 20mg daily for five days. 9 , 8 Contraindications for glucocorticoids include concurrent infection, peptic ulcer disease, poorly controlled hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. 9 Dementia can also be made worse with systemic steroids (so-called “steroid psychosis”). 9 Less serious side effects of systemic glucocorticoids include an increase in appetite, retention of fluid (edema), irritability, and insomnia. Adrenal suppression associated with prolonged systemic steroid use is rarely a problem when using a 2- to 3-week course of glucocorticoid therapy for poison ivy. 9 Poison-ivy ( Rhus radicans L.) is widespread throughout southern Ontario and reaches north approximately as far as Cochrane and Kenora. It is found most abundantly, however, south of a line from the north shore of Lake Huron through North Bay. This includes the densely populated portions of the province and the popular vacation areas. The plant is often mistakenly called "poison oak", but the true poison oak occurs only in the southern and Pacific states of the U.S.A. and not in Ontario.

Look-alikes

Poison-ivy is classified as a noxious weed under the Ontario Weed Control Act. This legislation provides a means for regulating control of certain weeds in problem areas. Each municipal council, through its weed inspector, is responsible for the degree of control within its district. Curtisa G, Lewis AC. Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long- versus short-course oral prednisone. J Clin Med Res. 2014; 6(6):429–434. [ PMC free article] [ PubMed] [ Google Scholar] Sideshow presents the Poison Ivy Premium Format™ Figure, an irresistible, exclusive DC Comics collectiblethat’s sure to ensnare your senses. Figure 11. Smooth sumac leaves have eleven to thirty-one leaflets. Note that the leaflets have teeth along the edges.

Poison ivy’s original classification, Toxicodendron radicans (T. radicans), was first established by the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in the 17th century. Later, Carl Linnaeus, considered the “Father of Taxonomy,” classified poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac under the Rhus genus in 1737. 8 However, by the 18th century, 27 species of Rhus had been identified, with numerous variations, creating the need to better clarify the taxonomic designations of plants falling into the Rhus genus. Thus, the genus Toxicodendron, which means “poison tree,” was reprised for what we know today as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, with radicans and rydbergii being the most common species. Poison oak ( T. diversilobum) is more common in western United States, and poison sumac ( T. vernix) is primarily confined to marshy areas of eastearn and southeastern United States, but numerous types of Toxicodendron plants can be found in temperate climates all over the world. 7 Eating the plants can cause severe internal irritation, and inhaling particles of urushiol released by burning poison ivy, oak, or sumac can cause swelling of the respiratory passages, which can even result in death. These cases require specific and immediate medical treatment. Control A 2- or 3-gallon sprayer is the most convenient method of applying herbicides to patches of poison-ivy. Thorough coverage of every plant in the area is essential for maximum effect. All leaves and stems must be thoroughly wet to the ground line.Many plants have been mistaken for poison-ivy because their leaves may also consist of 3 leaflets. These can be distinguished from poison-ivy as follows. Prevalence. Prevalance of poison ivy has doubled since 1960, and its potency is rapidly increasing, making this rash a common complaint in dermatology offices. Several factors contribute to this increase in prevalence: Templeton D. Climate change is making poison ivy bigger and badder. https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2013/07/22/Climate-change-is-making-poison-ivy-grow-bigger-and-badder/stories/201307220149 22 Jul 2013. Pittsburg Post Gazette. Accessed 22 Sep 2020. Fragrant sumac ( Rhus aromatica) is often mistaken for poison oak, and both grow in similar habitats. One difference is that the leaflets of fragrant sumac are attached at a single point, while the terminal leaflet of poison oak has a short stem. Also, the fruit of the fragrant sumac plant is red (figure 10).