For millions of years, plants have evolved defenses to protect themselves from prey, disease, and encroachment, as they are obviously immobile once situated. Many of these defenses are chemical, and include poisons, irritants, odors and compounds that inhibit the growth of other plants. Of the irritants, poison ivy (Rhus radicans) causes reactions in about 85 percent of people. The offending toxin is urushiol. Named from the Japanese Urushi tree, or Oriental lacquer tree, urushiol is an organic compound that exists in all parts of the poison ivy plant, even the dormant-looking vines.
As gardeners, we are familiar with the adage “leaves of three, beware of me” as we install and maintain our gardens. Poison ivy is prevalent in our area, and the leaves are easily recognizable for most of us. The plant can be climbing, shrub-like and/or a ground cover. The oily urushiol irritant can…
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