Poison Ivy Vines

Now a common plant around, poison ivy vines are sub-shrub which are widely distributed in the coasts of Mexico to Canada. The woody vines belong to the family Anacardiaceae or Cashew. These hardy weeds have tropical or sub-tropical distribution. They grow in woodland edge, exposed rocky areas, disturbed areas, open fields, and sometimes in exurban and suburban areas (SE United States, Mid-Atlantic, New England). These are rarely seen in altitudes higher than 1500 meters.

Poison ivy vines can grow and climb or creep on the ground as high or long as 10 inches. The vines can creep and climb a tree with their thin, brown roots attached to the side of the tree or rock or any other object where it can cling to. As a ground cover, the plant can form a knee high thicket of foliage. Others can grow the height of a shrub of up to four feet. As a shrub, it grows with one stem with few side branches. These kinds grow commonly in the open. The plants spread both sexually and vegetatively. Poison ivy vines can come from root crowns or rhizomes as these put down adventitious roots. Their seeds are scattered mainly by birds and animals. The trademark of the weed is its three leaflet groupings which appear reddish in early spring and green in summer. The vine also produces white berries every end of the growing season. Poison ivy vines are sometimes mistakenly identified with the woody vine, Virginia Creeper. The difference however, is that the latter’s roots are lighter in color and bigger than the aerial roots of the poison ivy. Virginia Creepers may also be harmful because it releases oxalate crystals which can be toxic to some people and can result to a horrible skin rash.

The most common thought about poison ivy vines is about their ‘poisonous’ effect – skin rash. Indeed, its effect to the skin made it well known. The plant produces urushiol which is a skin irritant causing itchy rash for almost all people, a condition known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. The condition presents as red, itchy rash with erupting blisters sometimes. The condition caused by these poison ivy vines may last up to two weeks. Urushiol can be found in all parts of the plant especially the parts which are rich in sap. The active chemical causes some people to suffer severe allergic reactions. It is absorbed in the skin within three minutes of exposure. The best thing to do when getting contacted with it is to wash the effected area with water and soap. However, since most of the times there are no water or soap available, it is better to avoid touching the plant by properly recognizing and avoiding it. Urushiol is released, comes oozing out and ‘attacks’ whenever the hardy weeds are cut, stepped on, crushed, grabbed, sat on, rolled on, disturbed, or kicked. The colorless oil can stay and travel on animal’s fur or the clothes that’s why carefully handling them is important.