Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Leaves and stems. From Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, D.C. n.d.
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Overview
Although niether a true ivy (Hedera) nor, technically—in North America—an invasive species, T. radicans occupies a niche all its own in the hierarchy of dangerous plants. *family Anacardiaceae.
Atmospheric levels of CO2, already on the rise, are encouraging more vigorous growth of T. radicans, and a greater concentration within its tissues of urushiol, the toxic oil which gives the plant both its name and it notoriety. The appearance of T. radicans in new locations and sizes heretofore unseen therefore now gives this plant the character of an invasive species, with perdictable disruptions in human activity and peace of mind.
It is a woody vine that is well known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people. The rash and blistering caused by poison is known as “urushiol-induced contact dermatitis,” so named for its causative agent.
Grotesque weeping rashes are caused over 50 million times annually by this green, creeping menance.
Kudzu is also seeing a similar geographic extension of its naturally occurring habitat.
“Urushiol” comes from the Japanese word for lacquer.
