My neighbor Midge shared this guide to poison ivy on FB and now I'm passing it on to you.
I golf with Natalie (she knows all this and so much more about DNR info! Super handy golf partner - when I hit my balls into the woods and weeds (not if, but when!) she checks out the area before letting me go in. I love when she says "Jilly, nope! That's poison ivy, do not go in there!" hahahha.
Anyway - for all of you without a Natalie to protect you I hope you'll find this helpful!
1. "if butterflies land there, don't put your hand there".
Some butterflies land on poison ivy - since they are not affected it provides them protection as their predators avoid eating the plant.
2. "leaves of three, let it be"
This old rhyme refers to the grouping of three leaves that are most commonly associated with poison ivy. Though there are many other plants with three predominate leaves, this can be a good starting point for authentication.
3. "hairy vine, no friend of mine" and "raggy rope, don't be a dope"
Poison ivy vines on tress have a furry "raggy" appearance. These rhymes warn tree climbers to be wary. Old, mature vines on tree trunks can be quite large and long, with the recognizable leaves obscured among the higher foliage of the tree.
4. "berries white, run in fright" and "berries white, danger in sight"
The berry-like fruit, a drupe, mature by August to November with a grayish-white color. Fruits are a favorite winter food of some birds and other animals. Seeds are spread mainly by animals and remain viable after passing through the digestive tract.
5. "longer middle stem, stay away from them"
This refers to the middle leaflet having a notably longer stem than the two side leaflets and is a key to differentiating it from the similar-looking Rhus aromatica fragrant sumac.
6. "red leaflets in the spring, it's a dangerous thing"
Sometimes in the spring new leaflets have a red appearance. (Note that later in the summer, the leaflets are green, making them more difficult to distinguish from other plants, while in autumn they can be reddish-orange.)
7. "side leaflets like mittens, will itch like the dickens"
This refers to the appearance of some, but not all, poison ivy leaves, where each of the two side leaflets has a small notch that makes the leaflet look like a mitten with a "thumb".
6.6.21: 🔥 week 23
6.6.20: crock pot pork roast (from frozen)
6.6.19: MSIH: honey chipotle pasta salad
6.6.18: aunt volunteer
6.6.17: kid friendly chop sticks
6.6.16: pet portrait - canvas painting
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