The truth about poison ivy!

We have obviously had many discussions about poison ivy during our class so I figured why not actually research it a little bit so that everyone will finally know what to look for :)

In the spring it looks like this:

http://www.poison-ivy.org/html/spring1.htm

The leaves are a bright red color because they are just beginning to grow.

During the summer if looks like this:

http://www.poison-ivy.org/html/summer1.htm

When you think of poison ivy the picture above is probably the most common. The leaves are ALWAYS in a group of three.  Some of the leaves are notched and others have smooth edges.  The younger leaves tend to be more shiny and red while the older leaves are dull and green.

Then in the fall it turns to this:

http://www.poison-ivy.org/html/fall1.htm

The leaves begin to change color just like any other plant.

FUN FACTS

~It isn't the plant itself that people are allergic to it's the oil that the plant releases when something brushes against it.  The oil is called Urushiol oil.

~Urushiol comes from the Japanese word "urushi" which means lacquer.

~Only one billionth of a gram of that oil is needed to cause a rash.

~The oil can stay active on any surface including dead poison ivy plants for up to 5 years.

~It is one of the most common allergies, claiming about half the population.