Poison ivy plant. Poison ivy, oak or sumac. What you will need

With decorative leaves are widely used not only in gardening, but also in indoor floriculture for vertical gardening and creating original compositions. One of the brightest representatives is ivy. A spectacular plant with trifoliate leaves, it has an unpretentious disposition and beautiful leaves. However, besides this, it does not have a very good reputation, interestingly, in our country.

It is human nature to connect the events that happen to him with the environment and objects that are part of it. It is much easier to attribute the troubles that happened to him to a third party, or better yet, to an inanimate object. In particular, on Can I keep it at home? Signs say no. Let's understand the notoriety of the plant, as well as the peculiarities of its cultivation.

What kind of plant is this?

The name “ivy” is a genus of plants of the Araliaceae family, numbering 15 species. The Latin name Hedera for these plants was borrowed by C. Linnaeus from the Romans. Ivies are creeping shrubs that, as they grow, cling to support (trees, walls, etc.). The stems bear dense, leathery, angular-lobed leaves. Color - dark green, exist decorative forms with milky white stripes.

The natural habitat is countries of the Northern Hemisphere with mild climatic conditions, as well as Australia. In our country, ivy (see photo in text) is mainly indoor plant.

Common types of ivy

Colchis ivy is an evergreen liana-like shrub with large (up to 25 cm in length) leathery leaves attached to the stem with suckers. The shape of the plate can be different; when rubbed, a characteristic musky odor appears. It climbs to a height of up to 30 m. It grows quickly, but compared to common ivy less frost-resistant. Under natural conditions it grows in Iran, Transcaucasia, and Asia Minor.
Common ivy (photo below) is an evergreen vine, the leaves are leathery, medium in size (up to 10 cm in length), the arrangement is regular. It grows slowly, is shade-tolerant and thermophilic, and is demanding on soil fertility. It has a high decorative value, and therefore has been used for a very long time in landscaping gardens as a ground cover and climbing plant. Many hybrid forms have been developed, differing in color and leaf shape. The photo shows the Calico variety.

Canarian ivy - evergreen shrub, extremely popular as a houseplant. A spectacular plant with variegated leaves does not tolerate frost and requires good lighting, warmth and fertile soil.
Pastukhov's ivy is a rare evergreen vine that grows in Eastern Transcaucasia and is listed in the Red Book of Russia. Distributed both in mountainous regions and in lowlands, it spreads along the ground and clings to tree trunks.

Indoor ivy: can you keep it at home? Signs

Signs and superstitions of various kinds have always been present in our lives. Some believe in them, others do not, and others listen. Quite a lot of superstitions are associated with plants in the house, and people often find it difficult to say where they came from. Most of it doesn't sound reasonable at all. For example, about a gift of a flower that dried up after a couple of months, and therefore was not presented from the heart. An absolutely untenable argument. Store-bought flowers often have weakened immune systems and are difficult to tolerate changes in environment and microclimate.

Indoor ivy also did not go unnoticed by lovers. Is it possible to keep this plant at home (signs are given in the text)? It is possible, and most of Europeans do just that. They don't need to put him in room conditions, beautiful plant entwines the house from the outside, covering all the walls with an even carpet of greenery. But is this such a significant difference?!

The main superstition about ivy is its supposed ability to “drive” men out of the house and to survive them. Agree, the plant is endowed with very impressive strength. The ancient Greeks also treated ivy in a special way, but from a positive point of view. The plant was almost sacred, because according to legend, it was it that saved the life of the god of wine Dionysus (Bacchus). From then on, his images were decorated not only with grapevines, but also with climbing stems of ivy. The mythological properties of the plant, however, have a real basis. It, along with rosemary, is used in France to protect forests from wildfires.

Ivy is a climbing evergreen shrub and, who would have thought, one of the symbols of Christmas. It is with this spectacular plant that Europeans, especially the British, decorate temples and houses. It is interpreted as a symbol of eternity and resurrection, affection and love. Ivy is used in pairs with holly, the first being considered a symbol of the feminine (requiring support and protection), and the second - masculine. In practice, the plant really amazes with its unpretentiousness and ability to survive even in the homes of the most careless gardeners.

Ivy grows a very voluminous green mass, and therefore is considered one of the most effective air purifiers. Enough useful quality for city apartments.

These facts answer quite reasonably whether indoor ivy is harmful and whether it can be kept at home. Signs are most often far-fetched and absurd. You should not blindly trust them, much less be guided by them.

Selection of location, lighting and temperature

Indoor ivy is a unique plant. By choosing it for your home, you can fill even the darkest corner of the room with greenery. He is very shade tolerant. However, variegated forms need sun to maintain a beautiful contrast on the leaves, it is best if it is slightly muted, avoid direct rays hitting the plant.

Ivy belongs to the evergreen, heat-loving plants. Most comfortable temperature for it it will be 22-25 °C in the spring-summer period and cooler (15-18 °C) in the winter. You can take it out onto the balcony or summer terrace.

Soil for ivy

The plant prefers light but nutritious soil. Can buy ready soil in a specialty store or prepare it yourself. To do this, mix turf and leaf soil, humus, peat and sand in equal proportions. Place a drainage layer, such as expanded clay, at the bottom of the pot.

Adult plants are replanted every two years, and young plants - annually. The most optimal time for the procedure is March-April. Select a pot 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.

Watering and fertilizing

For active growth ivy requires regular and abundant watering in the summer. But don't overwater the plant. Low air temperature and excess moisture are a favorable environment for the development of fungal and bacterial diseases.

In winter, a mild dormant period begins. At this time, the plant is watered less frequently, but the substrate should not be allowed to dry out completely. Spraying and high humidity- this is what indoor ivy prefers. Leaves dry out and fall off very often due to dry air. If possible, periodically place the plant under the shower, covering the lump of earth with waterproof material. After such a procedure, it looks much more attractive and begins to grow with renewed vigor.

Fertilizing should be carried out once every two weeks, starting from March and until the end of August, alternating organic and mineral complex fertilizers.

Reproduction methods

Ivy can be propagated by vegetative or seed methods. Moreover, the first one is the simplest and can be carried out in three ways.

First, reproduction apical cuttings. Cut off the ends of the shoots 10 cm long and immediately plant them in a damp mixture of sand and leaf soil, covering the top with a glass or plastic cap. This creates greenhouse conditions, and it is important to maintain constant moisture in the soil. You can first place the cuttings in water and wait for the roots to appear. Then plant in the prepared soil mixture.

Secondly, propagation by shoots is practiced. One piece of stem can produce several plants. To do this, take a shoot with 8-10 leaves and make a cut along it. Not too deep, it should be superficial. Place the shoot on prepared moist soil with the cut side down and press it into the soil 1.5-2 cm, leaving the leaves on the surface. Within two weeks, the plant will form roots along its entire length, a sign of this will be the growing top. Then the stem is taken out and cut into several parts, each planted in a separate pot.

Well, the third vegetative method is propagation by layering. The algorithm of action is the same as in the previous version, but with one amendment, escape from mother plant are not separated, but pressed to the ground with staples.

Pruning indoor ivy

As a rule, outdoor specimens require pruning and shaping of the bush. if desired, you can also update and rejuvenate, giving the required form. The procedure is carried out in early spring, before the plant begins its active growing season. First of all, remove diseased and damaged shoots; you can simply pinch out young shoots in order to stimulate the development of lateral stems. To rejuvenate the bush, cut old branches at a distance of 1 m from the root in outdoor conditions and half as much in indoor conditions.

As a support for ivy, you can use a wall, specially stretched threads, but they must be strong (the green mass is quite heavy), a decorative trellis, etc.

Poison ivy is a climbing plant with beautiful foliage and white berries. In autumn, ivy leaves change color from green to bright yellow-red. It was his beautiful view makes people touch to this unsafe and poisonous plant.

Description of the plant

Poison ivy or Toxicodendron belongs to the genus of trees, a species of shrubs climbing plants and belongs to the Sumakhov family.

There are three species of this family:

poison ivy;
poison oak;
varnish wood.

wild ivy reminds me of a liana, it entwines nearby trees or spreads along the ground. Young shoots of this plant may not have foliage, or may be covered with hairs. Its leaves are diamond-shaped, and ovoid leaves are also found. The leaves are collected in a trefoil pattern and are usually light green in color. The lower surface of the leaf is covered with hairs, somewhat reminiscent of small needles, the upper surface is smooth and shiny.

The leaf length is generally from 10 to 14 centimeters. Its flowers are small, collected in small inflorescences, yellow-green in color. The berries are small, white with a large stone (drupe). Wild ivy blooms in June-July, and in early October the berries, somewhat similar to small balls, ripen. In sunny areas it looks more like a bush, and in shaded areas wraps around a nearby tree like a liana.

Where does poison ivy grow?

Poison ivy is found everywhere in North America, and especially often in its eastern part. On the territory of Russia, from the Sumakhov genus, only two species grow, which are found on Southern Kuril Islands. There it is a tree from two to eight meters high with a thin trunk. He also has compound odd-pinnate leaves, which are collected at the top of the plant. Because of this, wild ivy looks somewhat similar to a palm tree.

Why is poison ivy dangerous?

Toxicodendron contains milky juice, this juice oxidizes and turns black in air. The milky sap is very poisonous and if a person comes into contact with it, a person can get a severe burn with blisters. The bark of this plant also contains toxic substances such as lobitin, phenolic compounds and glycosides. Absolutely all parts of this plant are poisonous, from the stem to the berries, but despite this they make medications. Back in the 18th century, homeopathic doctors, with the help poison ivy tinctures They treated diseases such as influenza, rheumatism and, oddly enough, skin diseases.

Poisoning can result not only in skin burns, but even in severe metabolic disorders. Interesting fact, but not all people get burns after touching this bush. About three out of ten people do not have an allergic reaction to poison ivy sap.

Wild ivy can not only cause burns on the skin, but also cause cause of food poisoning, if leaves, berries or parts of plants get into food. Even a dead plant retains its poisonous properties for a few more days.

Symptoms of wild ivy poisoning

First of all, poisoning manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin, which is of the vesicular type. Subsequently, inflammation begins skin. The burn from contact does not appear immediately, but after about seven days. Symptoms of poisoning take a long time to pass; they can manifest themselves for a month. Fortunately, the poison of the plant that gets on human skin will not spread to other parts of the body.

The toxins this shrub contains can lead to damage to mucous membranes gastrointestinal tract, which can cause inflammation of the stomach and even intestines. It is not recommended to burn wild ivy; when burned, toxic substances can enter the respiratory tract and cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat, as well as a dangerous rash in the lungs, and cause severe inflammation of the respiratory tract. In some cases, poisoning can lead to anaphylactic shock.

Treatment of wild ivy poisoning

The main methods of treating poisoning are:

wash your hands thoroughly with soap;
use of antihistamines;
use of ointments for burns.

Treatment of poisoning must first begin with reducing itching on the skin. To do this, you need to wash the burn as soon as possible. detergent or use soap. It is imperative to wash damaged areas of skin with soap because substances that cause burns simply do not dissolve with water, and therefore will not be washed off the victim’s skin. It is also advisable to use ointments and creams containing antihistamines. You can also use burn creams that cool the skin.

Blisters formed as a result of burns should not be pierced, this can lead to infection of the wound, just as it is unacceptable for tight and oppressive clothing to come into contact with the burn site. If the blister has burst and there is a possibility of clothing damaging the wound, the wound must be wrapped in a sterile bandage. To avoid joining secondary bacterial infection The use of antibiotics cannot be ruled out. When feeling unwell, pain or discomfort in the throat, lungs or stomach requires immediate medical attention.

Poison ivy is poisonous due to the presence of urushiol, a skin irritant.

What does poison ivy look like photo, oak and sumac

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac all produce oils that can be very dangerous for you. This oil can be found on every part of the vine. Sometimes, the slightest touch can cause an allergic reaction. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are all plants in the same family, but they grow in different areas. Poison ivy grows primarily as a vine along river banks.

Ivy allergy causes

Allergic reactions can occur with:

Any, even small touch to any part of the vine.
Any contact from clothing or pets that comes into contact with the vine and then with your body.
If you inhale the smoke of a fire into which grapevine branches are thrown, an allergic reaction may also occur.

Ivy allergy symptoms

How can ivy allergy symptoms appear? The reaction to ivy may be as follows:

Severe itching, which is accompanied by red rashes.
The appearance of rashes in the form of streaks or spots on the affected areas.
The effects may take time to appear and this may last depending on the severity of the reaction.

Ivy allergy what to do

Learn about poison ivy, oak, and sumac before heading out for a walk in the woods.
Avoid touching your skin or any clothing that still contains the toxic oil.
You should always have wet wipes or water with you to wash the affected area.
https://youtu.be/ePNov0Dvcig
Wash your clothes in hot water to remove any remaining oil that you are allergic to.
Apply cream to relieve itching.
You cannot sweat, otherwise the itching will appear with greater force.

Allergy to ivy: what to do at home

The main means of protection against poison ivy:

You can apply Calamine lotion to the affected areas.
Using calendula in the form of a lotion will help eliminate itching and the appearance of new rashes.
Cold compresses will provide great relief as it helps in controlling the itching.
You can also put a piece of watermelon on the affected area of the skin.
Make a thick paste from half a cup baking soda and proportional amount of coffee. Pour cool coffee into a bowl with baking soda to make a thick paste, apply a thin layer of this paste to the affected area. Let this mixture dry and you will immediately see the difference.
Apply Vicks VapoRub to the affected area.
Boil some peach tree leaves. Wait until the broth cools down. Use cotton wool to smear areas of the skin and itching will no longer bother you.
You can also apply milk of magnesia on the affected parts to stop the itching and provide a soothing effect.
Rubbing a banana peel on the affected area can help you with itching and rashes.
To provide relief, you need to infuse aloe vera juice or apply tofu on the affected area. It gives a calming effect.

Take all precautions and follow the instructions for preparing home remedies. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to them. Have you already experienced an allergy to poison ivy? Leave your opinion or review on the forum.

Everyone knows that indoor plants are a source of beauty and benefit for the people who grow them. Plants give us their beauty and at the same time perform a number of useful functions: participate in the process of photosynthesis (absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen), and also maintain an optimal microclimate in the room (humidify the air).

However, not everything is so rosy: the plant world also has its outsiders - dangerous plants that can cause significant harm. Animals and children suffer especially badly from such representatives of the flora, because they are not able to distinguish potentially dangerous plant. That is why families with children and animals need to be especially careful when selecting house plants.

So, here are the 20 most dangerous indoor plants:

Ivy evergreen- a liana-shaped evergreen shrub belonging to the Araliaceae family. The stems are long, curved, the leaves are dark green with a carved edge. The leaves and berries of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Cats, who are attracted to the lush greenery of the plant, suffer especially badly from ivy.
is a very beautiful plant with bright greenery and magnificent flowers in white, pink or red, belonging to the heather family. The leaves of the plant are poisonous; they contain a toxic substance - a glycoside, which causes poisoning. It is necessary to place pots with azaleas in places inaccessible to children and animals. It is not recommended to keep azalea in the bedroom.

- a plant with large decorative flowers and dense dark green leaves. The family to which cyclamen belongs is Primroses. Cyclamen tubers are especially poisonous; they contain a poison similar to that of curare. These same tubers are often used in folk medicine while taking all precautions.
Trichocereus- an erect cactus with long curved spines. It blooms with white, strong-smelling flowers. The cactus contains hallucinogens and alkaloids that cause central paralysis nervous system. In the wild, cacti are protected from being eaten by animals using toxic substances.

Croton- a representative of the Euphorbiaceae family. Very popular home plant with large beautiful leaves of original colors. Like many members of the spurge family, croton is poisonous. The poison is contained in the seeds and milky sap of the plant, which appears if a leaf or stem of a croton is broken off. If croton juice gets on your skin, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
Spurge- a very popular houseplant, which gave its name to an entire genus (Euphorium). It looks like a mini palm tree: a tuft of dense green leaves sits at the top of a thick stem. Like the previous croton plant, milkweed has poisonous seeds and milky juice. Particular care must be taken when replanting the plant and other work with it.

– the most popular house plant, very beautiful and decorative. Dieffenbachia is an evergreen shrub with large oval leaves of variegated color. Grows up to two meters in height. Unfortunately, all green parts of the plant (petioles and leaves) contain poison. You can get seriously poisoned if Dieffenbachia juice gets into your mouth. Animals that may inadvertently eat the plant suffer especially.
Brunfelsia- a houseplant, especially common in America and Europe, a member of the nightshade family. Smells great and flowers bloom beautifully lilac color. All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the fruits and seeds of Brunfelsia.

- a spectacular plant that has recently become widespread in our homes. At the top of the thick, woody stem there is a bunch of green leaves and bright and large red flowers. Adenium is one of the most poisonous plants. To this day, adenium poison is used by African tribes to poison arrowheads. All parts of the plant are toxic and poisonous, but its milky sap is especially dangerous. If your family has pets, children, or someone in the family suffers from asthma, think carefully before you start growing adenium.
- a magnificent house plant that blooms with very beautiful flowers, grouped into an umbrella of 12 or more flowers. The leaves of the plant are dense, glossy, elongated. The most poisonous parts of clivia are the leaves and roots. Great care must be taken when working with the plant and be sure to use rubber gloves.

Gloriosa luxurious- an exotic plant with very spectacular and unusual flowers that change color throughout the flowering period. At the same time, Gloriosa is one of the most poisonous houseplants. All parts of Gloriosa splendor are poisonous. Once in a living organism, the poison of the plant causes nausea and vomiting, and also leads to impaired kidney function and hair loss. To avoid such unpleasant consequences poisoning, you should handle the plant very carefully. In addition, it is necessary to protect pets and children from contact with gloriosis.
Ficus- a well-known inhabitant of many homes, one of the most popular plants in the whole world. The luxurious, rich greenery of ficus attracts many gardeners. Is this one really too pet poisonous? Of course, one cannot say so categorically. Ficus is on this list because the plant is a powerful allergen. Ficus sap is especially dangerous: if it gets on the skin, it can irritate and even burn. Don’t be afraid to grow ficus trees in your homes, but still try to take precautions.

Philodendron- a plant of the araceae family. Some philodendrons are vines, and some are bushy plants. Philodenron is especially prized for its beautiful, dense greenery. Unfortunately, philodendron juice, like many members of the aroid family, is poisonous, but only if it comes into contact with the skin and mucous membranes. If the plant is not damaged, it is not dangerous at all.
Akalifa- a genus of plants in the Euphorbiaceae family, uniting about 400 plants. The peculiarity of Akalifa is leaves with patterns of unusual colors and inflorescences in the form of fluffy earrings. Akalifa is a slightly poisonous plant whose milky sap contains dangerous substances.

- a large shrub plant, perfect for large rooms, greenhouses and winter gardens. Schefflera, like Akalifa, is weakly poisonous plant. It is unlikely that the cheflera will cause much harm to you, but still try to wash your hands whenever possible after contact with the plant.
Primrose- a very beautiful plant with the most beautiful flowers different shades surrounded by velvety green leaves. Primrose is often placed in children's rooms because of the bright colors of the plant. However, all parts of the primrose are poisonous and pose a potential danger. Firstly, during flowering, primrose releases special substances - alkaloids, inhaling which you can feel nausea and dizziness. Moreover, if there are several plants, their impact is enhanced. Secondly, the poison is contained in the hairs of primrose leaves. If you touch the leaves of the plant, the poison may cause burning and itching. If you always rinse your hands under water after contact with the plant, the primrose will not cause any harm.

- a plant belonging to the nightshade family. Represents small bush, reaching a height of 35 cm, blooming with purple, blue and white flowers. Brovalia beautiful is a poisonous plant. All parts of brovalia contain poison, which negatively affects the body when it gets inside or onto the mucous membranes. Most often, children and pets suffer when they come into contact with the plant, so it is very important to keep the plant in a hard-to-reach place.
Monstera- A popular indoor plant that reaches impressive sizes. Typically, Monstera is grown in public spaces, as well as in greenhouses and winter gardens. Monstera leaves are large, dense, rich green in color, with slits along the edges. Before you start growing monstera in your home, think carefully. The plant has very poisonous juice that can burn the skin of the body or even damage the eyes. Symptoms of monstera poisoning are a burning sensation in the mouth, excessive salivation, and inflammation of the digestive system.

Pachypodium Lamera, the second name of the plant is Madagascar palm. The lamera has a thick, spiny stem, similar to a cactus, the top of which is crowned with a rosette of elongated leaves. Pachypodium has a poisonous and toxic milky sap, which is released when the plant is damaged. However, this juice has no effect on the skin and can only be dangerous if it comes into contact with wounds and mucous membranes. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the plant, and it will not cause you any harm.
- a plant of the araceae family. The main value of the plant is its luxurious greenery: large, dense leaves of rich color, often with a bizarre pattern. The plant perfectly purifies the air in the apartment and kills many pathogenic bacteria. However, at the same time, you need to remember that the milky juice of aglaonema is dangerous. Juice is released when the plant is damaged, for example when a leaf breaks, so when replanting aglaonema, be sure to use rubber gloves.

An attentive reader will probably have noticed that some plant families are repeated especially often in this list: Aroidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Kutraaceae, Solanaceae. Indeed, representatives of these particular families are especially poisonous and require the most careful handling.

Kutrov family considered the most dangerous family of houseplants in the world. Prominent representatives of the Kutrovaceae are adenium and pachypodium; this family also includes dipladenia, plumeria, allamanda, strophanthus, carissa and other plants. When working with plants of the cutraceae family, exercise extreme caution, always use rubber gloves and grow these plants out of the reach of children and pets.

Family Araceae It is also distinguished by a large number of poisonous house plants: alocasia, aglaonema, monstera, dieffenbachia, philodendron, spathiphyllum, anthurium, syngonium. Almost all plants of the aroid family contain toxic substances: oxalic acid, proteins and enzymes, which are often used as components of drugs household chemicals due to their caustic properties. The sap from such plants is especially dangerous, so if the plant is damaged, handle it as carefully as possible.

Family Euphorbiaceae includes many plants that are popular on our windowsills: milkweed, croton, akalifa. The toxic substance euphorin is part of the milky juice of almost all euphorbias. If it comes into contact with the skin and mucous membranes, euphorin can cause burning, burns and inflammation. Be careful when handling spurge family plants and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling them.

Nightshade family Probably everyone knows, because the most popular edible plants - potatoes and tomatoes - belong to this family. Houseplants of the nightshade family are brovallia, brunfelsia, and capsicum, often grown at home. The most poisonous part of nightshades are the berries, which, if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and subsequently unhealthy drowsiness and lethargy. Be careful to ensure that your child or pet does not eat the berries of these plants.

And in conclusion: many plants are poisonous, to a greater or lesser extent, however, most of them are successfully cultivated by humans. It may not be a good idea to buy a plant that could harm you and your family. However, if you decide to grow a potentially dangerous plant, make every effort to minimize its danger. Do not allow children and animals to come into contact with such a plant, do not place it near the bed, always wash your hands after working with it, use rubber gloves. If you follow these simple rules, the plant will not be able to cause any harm and will delight you with its natural beauty.

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General information about the plant

exists in nature whole line plants dangerous to humans, among which poison ivy occupies one of the first places. Fortunately, it is rarely found in our climate zone, but still, every person should know how to protect themselves from contact with it. Any contact of exposed skin with this plant leads to serious consequences, which are expressed in general intoxication of the body and local skin damage. Poison ivy has a corresponding name - toxicodendron rooting. He belongs to the Sumakhov family. Translated from Greek, its name means “tree of poison.” Despite its eloquent name, poison ivy is a small shrub or woody vine. Its thin and flexible stems often climb the trunks of nearby trees and shrubs or spread along the ground. Adventitious roots help it cling to support.

Description of the plant

The homeland of toxicodendron rooting is considered North America. In the CIS countries, this plant is grown in botanical gardens for research purposes. Two species of plants from the genus Toxicodendron (oriental toxicodendron and piloseferous) are found in the wild in the CIS countries, but they are distributed in a small area - in the Southern Kuril Islands. Both of these species are no less poisonous and dangerous to humans. Despite the fact that the distribution area of toxicodendrons is considered limited, no one can guarantee that poison ivy cannot be found elsewhere. The fact is that nowadays many plant species are found even in places where they were impossible to imagine 15-20 years ago. Poison ivy is a plant with characteristic trifoliate leaves. The leaves are rhombic or ovoid in shape. They are located on petioles, the length of which is 2-4 cm. The total petiole of the leaf reaches a length of 20 cm. The foliage of poison ivy in the summer has a dark green color, which becomes crimson-orange in the fall. This plant blooms with yellowish-green flowers collected in small paniculate inflorescences located in the axils of the leaves. Poison ivy produces fruits that are round drupes of a grayish-yellow hue. They are collected in dense clusters. This plant blooms in June, and the fruits ripen in September. In more northern latitudes, flowering begins in July. Some extreme gardeners breed this very ornamental plant in their gardens. Poison ivy, the care of which requires the utmost care, will not cause harm if you come into contact with it in thick clothing, rubber gloves and follow safety precautions. This plant is harmless to animals.

Contact with poison ivy

This plant is often used for medicinal purposes (most often in homeopathy). Poison ivy preparations are prescribed for neuralgia, rheumatism, colds, eye and skin diseases. The milky juice contains a resin - urshiol, which has toxic properties. The bark of this ivy also contains: poisonous substance, like lobitin. Not all people are hypersensitive to the toxins of this plant, although there have even been cases of contact with poison ivy, having a fatal outcome. Poisoning is expressed by the appearance of dermatitis and blisters. Further deterioration is noted general condition, long-term metabolic disorder. It should be remembered that poisoning can also be caused by clothing, equipment, and even animal fur that has been in contact with poison ivy. After contact with the juice of this plant, you must immediately treat the skin with soapy water, a solution of potassium permanganate or a 5% solution of ferric chloride. The first signs of intoxication appear after 1-3 days. Severe itching is relieved with hydrocortisone. The degree of skin damage depends on the amount of toxic substance, age and immunity of the person. In severe cases, drug treatment is prescribed.